The Drive Behind Women Drivers (and Cheaper Rates)

Today on the news, I heard a story about how the European Union had recently ruled that gender-based parameters for determining insurance premiums and benefits are illegal – meaning namely that women, who are typically viewed as good drivers and therefore get cheaper insurance rates, will feel the burn of higher premiums.

Is this fair?

Absolutely.  I’m in complete support of gender equality, even if it means that women lose perks.  After all, what have we been fighting for all this time if not complete equality?  Equality means an even footing, and although some might argue that the landscape is already skewed so far in men’s favor that a little women’s favoritism won’t hurt anybody, I strongly believe that those types of perks aren’t doing us any favors in the long run.

One question I’d like to raise is about the basis that women are better drivers and were receiving lower insurance rates.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard countless degrading remarks on the abilities of women as drivers, coming from all types of men — and women!  How did this stereotype persist even when insurance companies (notoriously stingy with their money) were giving a financial break to women on the completely opposite basis?

Case in point:  The first results when you google “women drivers” are videos and images making fun of women drivers, and the below image is the very first image result:

Absolutely baffling.  Any theories?