Are women the weaker sex when it comes to driving abroad?

Spain looks set to top the charts as the most popular holiday destination for Brits in 2011 with a huge 25% of car hire bookings made this winter confirmed to the land of sangria, salsa and sun.

But who will be donning their shades and taking the driving seat when it comes to getting around in the hire car abroad? 62% of women drivers prefer not to drive while on holiday abroad according to research commissioned by leading car hire price comparison site carhiremarket.com.

According to the online poll of more than 2,000 adults, almost half (49%) of the drivers asked didn’t like driving abroad. 62% of women drivers admitted to feeling scared or uncomfortable in the driver’s seat and this compares to just 35% of men who cited concerns, clearly indicating that overall, women prefer to take a back seat on driving duties while overseas. The survey also showed that younger drivers are far more confident than middle aged drivers.

60% of younger drivers aged between 18 and 24 years claimed to have no qualms at all about driving abroad compared to the over 55s, where this figure dropped to 46% of drivers citing no concerns or negative comments about taking to the wheel when on holiday.

The top driving worries cited by Brits who have driven abroad were revealed as driving on the right (39%), followed closely by 32% claiming they had problems with road signs in a foreign language and 27% blaming road signs that are different to those in the UK. Women also admitted they found driving on the right (49% of women vs 31% of men) and driving a left hand drive car (35% of women vs 20% of men) much more of a challenge than men.

25% of drivers admitted they have never driven in a foreign country and wouldn’t want to: 8% cited being too scared and 7% claimed they would get someone else to drive with 13% saying they would drive if they had to, but wouldn’t feel comfortable with it.

With many Brits looking forward to a fly-drive holiday overseas this year, Anel Bruns, Product Manager at leading car rental price comparison site carhiremarket.com, advises drivers to do their homework before embarking on a journey: “Knowing specific traffic rules and local driving etiquette can help boost your confidence as a driver overseas helping to avoid unpleasant surprises.”

For more information on driving regulations at the destination you are travelling to, plus great value car rental, car hire comparison or for more information on car hire destinations or airport car hire, visit: carhiremarket.com