Women drivers who suffer from low confidence can take steps to improve how they feel when getting into the car and work to make themselves better motorists with more belief in their abilities.
The first thing women with low confidence should remember is that they are perfectly able to handle the car having passed their test and have every right to be on the road. They should not feel bullied or harassed, but remain cool and calm and continue to drive as they know they should – carefully and responsibly.
It may help to get more practice behind the wheel. A study from the Institute of Advanced Motorists has revealed that when a woman has a male partner, he will do most of the driving, except on a night out! This means women have less experience, despite being perfectly able to and wanting to share the driving. The results also revealed that women do sometimes avoid driving in tricky situations, such as late at night or in poor weather conditions. However, by embracing these challenges and spending more time behind the wheel, women can boost their confidence.
Women drivers may also benefit from having someone else with them in the car, although not a nervous passenger or someone likely to take part in “back-seat driving”! A calm and relaxed passenger can give reassurance to women drivers who are lacking in confidence and put them at ease.
It will also benefit women drivers to think about their driving habits. Rather than being on “auto-pilot” and driving from one place to the next without thought, take time to consider actions and assess how challenges have been dealt with along the way. This again can give reassurance and affirm driving skills.
Reading up on the Highway Code and other laws relating to motoring and rules of the road will further instil confidence and ensure women drivers are thoroughly prepared for any situation.