Women better at parking, survey says

Female car owners and car insurance policy holders are better at parking cars than their male counterparts, a new survey reveals.

A survey by Britain's biggest car park operator, NCP, rated 2,500 drivers on different aspects of parking. Out of a maximum score of 20, women scored an average of 13.4, while men averaged 12.3.

Of the skills tested, the first area was the ability to find a space. The survey found that men were more likely to be impatient and missed spaces by driving too fast through the car park. Ladies tended to take a slower approach making it easier to notice free spaces and when other drivers were leaving.

The survey also measured the ability to position the car correctly before entering the parking bay. 39 per cent of women opted to reverse into the space, a method preferred by driving instructors, compared to only 28 per cent of men.

Men were also less likely to readjust their car once in the parking spot, as opposed to 56 per cent of women. However, 53 per cent of women were found to park centrally in the space, compared to only 25 per cent of men.

Men did beat out women in the time it took to park, on average it took women 21 seconds to park, while the average time for male drivers was 16 seconds. According to the survey, this equated to men spending 9 days of their life parking and women spending 12.

The parking test was designed for NCP by Neil Beeson, who featured in the ITV documentary, Last Chance Driving School.

Mr Beeson said: "I was quite surprised by the results because, in my experience, men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons.

"However, it's possible that women retain the information better. The report shows that men need to give our partners more respect when it comes to parking. The facts don't lie!"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:36:00 GMT