Bad behavior behind the wheel: A battle of the sexes

WASHINGTON – Most commuters have seen it for themselves — boorish driving behavior. But many are guilty of the same annoying tendencies they despise in other drivers.

Insurance.com interviewed 500 men and 500 women in April 2013 and revealed how bad driving habits break down among the sexes.

In D.C., WTOP asked a few drivers what driving sins they are guilty of.

Rob from Maryland admitted to going when it wasn’t his turn at a four-way stop. Sahir said he has never flipped someone off while driving, but he has tailgated the driver in front of him who was driving too slowly.

Maureen, who works in Northwest Washington, says she is guilty of what many women are — swearing.

WTOP: “Have you cursed in front of kids while driving?”

Maureen: “Only because the car almost hit me and it just came out…yes.”

The survey found 44 percent of women have sworn in front of the kids while men are more likely to lay on the horn.

  • 41 percent of drivers have honked at someone driving too slowly. (39 percent of women, 43 percent of men)
  • 37 percent of drivers swore in front of the kids while driving. (44 percent of women, 30 percent of men)
  • 29 percent of drivers have flipped soemone off while driving. (31 percent of women an 27 percent of men)
  • 26 percent of drivers sped up to prevent someone from passing them. (25 percent of women, 28 percent of men)
  • 18 percent of drivers have tailgated someone in front of them going too slowly. (21 percent of women, 16 percent of men)
  • 11 percent of drivers have stolen a parking spot someone else was waiting for. (9 percent of women, 13 percent of men)
  • 8 percent of drivers have dinged someone’s car in a parking lot and driven away. (Eight percent of women, eight percent of men)

The survey showed a quarter of the drivers interviewed did not regret their bad behavior.

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