[toddst]

I've often wondered if women have less depth perception than men. That might explain some of their driving habits.

In a word, no. We have women commercial and military pilots who do a fine job. IMHO and with all due respect, women don't devote their full-time attention to driving. They have no respect for the forces involved in managing the vehicle under their command partly due to POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.

Why, no effort is required to stop, based on their experience! This, combined with not having been taught what's involved in distance and time requirements for braking - plus driving skills in general - sets up a very hazardous situation. Ask any over-the-road trucker. As a group, women drivers are inherently dangerous.

[gawatchman]

I am afraid your assesstment is absolutely correct. I suffered a permanent back injury when my stopped vehicle was struck from behind by a woman driver who was, apparently, oblivious to the road. I had stopped to allow another vehicle (also driven by a woman) to merge into my leftmost lane because her lane ended in construction after she sped past my right side doing about 55 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. To avoid a potential accident from her possibly swerving into my lane, I stopped. It was then when, another woman struck my car from behind doing at least 40 MPH. She was riding with her 17 yr old daughter. They must have been having an argument or a conversation that was too important to be concerned with trivial matters such as watching the road in front of her. This is most often simple negligence, I believe. Never stop, unless you absolutely have to.

[SarahW]

That's a pretty blanket indictment. I have tremendous respect for my car's momentum, and pay particulat attention to having enough braking distance. I never get into power struggles with other drivers.

I've never learned stick and have always had cars with power brakes and steering. That's not the source of the problem. Stupidity and lack of proper training is.