The figures don’t lie—men have a heavier right boot than women. Yes, folks, men are paying significantly higher speeding fines than women, with male UK motorists shelling out an average of £804 compared to £324 for women, according to research from OOONO, the company behind the CO-DRIVER road-safety device.
Meanwhile, in the US, data suggests that men are 50% more likely to be ticketed for speeding than women. But it gets more serious than that. Men are also more likely to commit and be cited for serious moving violations like reckless driving and driving under the influence (DUI), which carry higher fines and penalties.
The UK findings also show that 21% of men – versus just 3% of women – admit to paying more than £1,000 in speeding fines over the past 12 months.
So, why are men paying so much more?
OOONO’s data shows that men consistently report riskier behaviors on the road, suggesting behavioral rather than systemic reasons for the gender divide.
Key findings from the research include:
- Men are more likely to check their phones while driving: 43% vs 26%
- Men are more likely to be distracted by in-car infotainment systems: 36% vs 15%
- 35% of men said receiving a speeding fine has affected their monthly finances vs 24% of women
- With 18% of men being late with their mortgage as a result of receiving a speeding fine compared to just 8% of women, and 10% of male drivers having to borrow money (versus just 3% of women) as the result of a speeding fine
- Men are more likely to find back-seat passengers distracting (21% vs 16%) or sat-nav notifications (14% vs 8%)
- However, women are more likely to find oncoming headlights distracting (57% vs 48%)
- Women are less comfortable driving in challenging conditions, including at night (47% vs 33%), in heavy rain (55% vs 45%), and in snow (52% vs 44%)
Sean Morris, OOONO’s UK Chief Operating Officer, former Chief Engineer of Electrical at Aston Martin and Head of Engineering Services at Continental, said: ” We see, from our research, that men drive faster and take more risks, probably due to over confidence. That confidence can be misplaced, and the fines speak for themselves. Tools like CO-DRIVER give all drivers the nudge they need to stay alert, stay within the limit, and avoid costly mistakes.
“The simplicity of CO-DRIVER makes driving safer and cheaper by reducing the likelihood of speeding fines, regardless of your gender. Our mission is to give drivers reliable, real-time information without increasing distraction.”
Drivers want safer, simpler tools
The gender-based findings form part of OOONO’s wider Driver Distraction Survey, which found that 81% of UK motorists want a simple, screen-free device that warns them of fixed and mobile speed cameras as well as upcoming hazards, without adding to in-car distractions often associated with screen-based technology.
OOONO’s CO-DRIVER device delivers exactly that. The tool provides discreet audio and visual alerts for speed cameras, traffic incidents, and road hazards, helping drivers stay aware of their surroundings without needing to look at a screen.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Beware lads — because you are more likely to check your phones while driving, you are more likely to be distracted by your in-car infotainment, and more of you will have your monthly finances affected by a speeding fine. However, on the flip side, women are less comfortable driving in challenging conditions, including at night (47% vs 33%), in heavy rain (55% vs 45%), and in snow (52% vs 44%).