Welcome to the world of chic drivers!

(Not only because March is Women’s Month, we can proudly and honestly say that there is always room for ladies in this section. One writer and another columnist after, Inquirer Motoring makes way for another contributor who is so involved in the world of motoring. Not just by affinity or profession but also for passion-Ed)

I have lived 24/7 with a champion racecar driver for about 13 years now.  I met him when I was a college junior, varsity soccer player, typical alpha female, driving one of the fastest cars in school. I would park my Mitsubishi VR right in front of the University of the Philippines Arts and Science Building. It was near the hangout of my Upsilon schoolmates and my midnight gray ride often became the object of their desire and repeated pleads for a quick spin. In their book I was the cool, exciting and an adventurous gal until I met the racecar driver.

The racecar driver basically criticized the way I drove to the point that he would almost say I didn’t know how… typical female driver. So by choice, society’s dictum and numerous backseat driving, I relegated myself to being the passenger. I would later on use this as an alibi to avoid the driving chore; I would say, ”I don’t really know how to drive eh.”  Or ”You don’t really like the way I drive,” which cornered him into driving submission.

In reality, I had a privilege of driving cars you won’t really see on the road. I took formula car classes in Skip Barber Racing in California, driving the famous Laguna Seca Corkscrew flat out in second gear. I have driven and rode karts, touring cars, 600-horsepower Nascar racecars, exotic cars and dragsters. I know how to blip and downshift. I have a fair understanding of engine displacement and car setup, all because of running a racing school. But I wouldn’t be caught dead talking about cars and mags or exhausts like the typical car enthusiast. The first car article I wrote was highlighted by the fact the car was missing a cup holder, which would give loads of convenience while you enjoy the sheer driving pleasure the superior engine and handling the vehicle promised.  I know how to drive, just in a different way. I drive like a chick… but the last time I checked… Hell, I am a chick.

Men vs women

The rise of feminism in the ’80s called for equality for both genders.  This paved the doors for women to do as they please and men to get in touch with their feminine side. For me equality does not mean we are the same; however you look at it, men and women will an always be different.  So why would I need to take on men’s point of view on things? Why would women be subjected to parameters made to judge men?

Who is really better?

I asked the racecar driver hubby and posted on our Facebook page: “What makes the stereotypical lousy female driver?”  All sorts of answer came up such as “Women drivers are slow,” “Does not look in the mirrors,” “Have no spatial awareness” but in reality some male drivers have this issues as well. Men judge female drivers that are very cautious as slow or road hindrances and the aggressive ones, as jumpy and no concept of road rules. So it’s a no-win situation.

In the real world, the question “who is better than who” depends on the criteria and point of view taken. Insurance companies have made a study on the gender factor.

According to Insurance.com, men are more aggressive and are riskier drivers than female. They are more likely to be cited for traffic violations and get into an accident. MSNBC reported that according to Traffic Stats, a road risk study the Carnegie Mellon did for the American Automobile Association, male drivers have a 77-percent higher risk of dying in a car accident than women, based on miles driven. Blame it on the testosterone (yes, scientifically you can).

But on the flip side, according to Tom Vanderbilt, the author of Traffic, research suggest that men do have the technical superiority, on a close environment test, men were able to park vehicles quickly and accurately.  On another study in the UK, young drivers that take the hands on part of the driving test, male drivers usually outperformed the female drivers.

Both genders do have their pros and cons. The technical advantage of the driving male is balanced out by their aggressiveness and riskier driving (in short, they do stupid things); the lack of spatial awareness and lesser skill (which is said to be caused by the damaging stereotype) is countered by the cautiousness. Studies further suggest that women have more crashes based on slips or lapses, men’s crashes are due to driving violations that tend to be more deliberate and risky-speeding, non-seat belt use and drinking.

Welcome to the world…Women want different things

If men find the howl of a Ferrari engine orgasmic, women will find their O moment on riding it as an accessory. Although the car gives gender “pogi” and “ganda” points, the satisfaction and uses come from different places in the psyche. The cars for men are symbols of their domain; in their cars they are the kings. For women, they’re an accessory, just like a Hermes Birkin… color, if the cosmetic case fits or if it matches my outfit is more of the deciding factor.

Women give more importance on how the vehicle will complement their lives and roles. Given a chance, a married man with three kids will buy for himself a vehicle that will remind him of his younger hot rod days, where he had more hair and he could still tuck his shirt in, while his wife will choose a car that is spacious and stylish—big enough to fit my three kids and the yaya or the three girlfriends or a shopping splurge, with the grocery but small and stylish enough to not be called a mom mobile.

Chic-driven

So why limit ourselves to the point of view of men about cars. Why be apologetic being a chick driver. Instead let us embrace it! If they call us crazy on the road, let us make sure that we are dressed for the part.  Chic-driven, will take chic women drivers to a whole new level of fabulousness. No apologies on frilliness. Expect to learn whether common road troubles are worth breaking a nail for in Do or Call. Expect honest reviews on the different cars and other cool products in Chic-Driven Tested.

Chic Drives to great destinations that our different personas will enjoy, The Real Housewife of Manila’s luxury haunts, The Superwemom digs, (where she takes her kids and do yoga at the same time), and the Elusive Ms.’s power lunch places. Also, get to meet other Hot & Chic drivers, find out what they drive and what fills their vanity and trunk spaces.

Women are different from men drivers; men drivers are not exactly better but just different. Therefore, let’s adopt a chic point of view on the road, that sometimes the size of the vanity mirror will clinch the deal more than the cars’ horsepower.

The author is a graduate of UP Diliman, the VP for marketing and business development for Tuason Racing School and president of a ZestAsia Inc., a marketing events company. She is a mother of two boys (ages 12 years old and 11 months) and a girl (7 years old) and married to champion racecar driver and road safety advocate JP Tuason. She is an avid traveler/reader, an aspiring triathlete, photographer, painter and cook.

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