WOMEN AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAR

The transport debate is currently focussed on how car use can be restrained. Comparatively little thought is given, however, to how cars are used and how restraint policies could affect certain groups of motorists, including women. The number of men in the population licensed to drive is approaching saturation level. Amongst women, however, there is still considerable room for growth (although the gap is growing). Changing socio-economic factors, such as the increasing number of women in paid employment (especially those who combine work with bringing up a family) and a greater prevalence of women living alone, means that there is an increasing demand for personal mobility by women. This study breaks new ground and examines the choice, freedom, flexibility and independence the car brings to women and considers how measures to curb car use could affect their quality of life. It also looks at concerns that are apparently specific to women - fear of personal attack, driving alone at night and on certain types of road. A survey of 377 women and 131 men shows clear gender differences and ways in which "life-stage" and age affect car use and attitude to the car. The results of group discussions with a small cross-section of women provide examples of individual views. The findings of the research should be of interest to transport planners, policy makers, those involved in all forms of social investigation and, of course, women themselves. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 863439.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0860502570
• Corporate Authors:

  PTRC Education and Research Services Limited

  Glenthorne House, Hammersmith Grove
  London W6OL9,   England 
• Authors:
  • CASSELL, S
  • LAWSON, S D
  • SNELSON, A
  • MORRIS, H T
• Conference:
  • TRANSPORT POLICY AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION. PROCEEDINGS OF SEMINAR F HELD AT THE PTRC EUROPEAN TRANSPORT, HIGHWAYS AND PLANNING 21ST SUMMER ANNUAL MEETING (SEPTEMBER 13-17, 1993), UMIST. VOLUME P368
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 189-201

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Conferences; Driving; Females; Mobility; Motor vehicles; Ownership; Planning; Safety; Transportation modes; Travel
• Uncontrolled Terms: Selection
• ITRD Terms: 2267: Attitude (psychol); 8525: Conference; 1855: Driving (veh); 698: Journey; 9105: Mobility (pers); 143: Planning; 1665: Safety; 9072: Selection; 1145: Transport mode; 315: Vehicle ownership; 1788: Woman
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00662296
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-86050-257-0
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 28 1994 12:00AM