Queue rage

Back

Female drivers see red in Christmas shopping traffic

Recent chaotic pre-Christmas traffic jams seen around major shopping centres such as Westfield and the Trafford Centre are taking their toll on female drivers - with over three quarters (76 per cent) of those questioned admitting to suffering eruptions of queue rage[1] at Christmas, including angry outbursts against other motorists such as shouting abuse, hitting horns and even shedding tears. 

Despite being the season of goodwill, the research conducted by Sheilas' Wheels car insurance[2] reveals that around half of female motorists (45 per cent) polled are much more likely to lose their cool in their cars at Christmas than any other time of year, with queue rage most likely to kick-in after just 10 minutes[3] of being in a traffic jam.

Surprisingly, with over a quarter (29 per cent) of women claiming they find road rage the most unattractive thing about their male counterparts, over half of women (51 per cent) admit to shouting abuse at other drivers, 62 per cent have resorted to hitting their horns to release their pent-up anger and just under a fifth (19 per cent) even admit to crying behind the wheel. 

If this doesn't suffice, calling a friend for a rant or to alleviate the boredom of a queue while behind the wheel was also high on the list for venting anger (20 per cent), a tactic that may be unsafe[4] and could result in a fine and points on your licence[5].

This time of year can feel like one big queue, from parking to paying at the tills, so it’s no wonder that over a fifth of women (22 per cent) said that motoring hassles were more likely to dampen their festive spirit than receiving disappointing gifts (11 per cent).

Considering almost two thirds (64 per cent) of female motorists think that queuing in traffic 'significantly' eats into valuable shopping time in the lead up to Christmas, it's no wonder that 60 per cent of those polled will be doing the majority of their Christmas shopping online this year.  Furthermore over half (55 per cent) admitted that Christmas queuing and the anger it provokes is the worst thing about the Christmas season and an estimated half a million Scrooge-like female motorists (569,129)[6] even thought Christmas should be cancelled because of the extra traffic it causes on the roads.

The research also revealed that over half (58 per cent) of female motorists polled admitted to being in an accident or near miss while queuing in their vehicle - so look out ladies, this year’s Christmas shopping trip could be more dangerous than you think!

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance, commented: "In the lead up to Christmas, queues are notoriously bad - especially around major shopping centres.  Being stuck in a traffic jam is never pleasant and at a time when festive spirits are high, this can be less than enjoyable.

We are urging all female motorists to hold back their queue rage and stay calm behind the wheel.  Venting anger at other drivers won’t get you anywhere and may lead to accidents, so sit back, try to relax and accept that Christmas queues are inevitable."

Regional breakdown
The North of England appears to suffer the worst from queue rage, with 15 per cent of female drivers polled from the North East and 19 per cent from the East Midlands experiencing the symptoms of queue rage within just five minutes - compared to female motorists in London and the South West (9 per cent in either region).  It would seem that heading out of England for Christmas shopping is the way forward, with a calm 15 per cent of Scots claiming to never get frustrated, impatient or angry when stuck in traffic.

To help female motorists Sheilas’ Wheels has compiled some tips on how to deal with the inevitable queues this Christmas:

- ends -

 

For further information please contact the Sheilas’ Wheels press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email sheilaswheels@mischiefpr.com

Visit the official fansite for Sheilas’ Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.

Notes to Editors:

  1. Displaying acts of anger / frustration / impatience
  2. Sheilas’ Wheels used the independent online research company Fly Research which interviewed a random sample of 1,012 drivers aged 18+ between 20th November 2008 and 23rd November 2008. Interviews were conducted across the UK via an online questionnaire. Fly Research is an online market research company. Its researchers are members of the MRS and Esomar, and abide by their guidelines. Further information at www.flyresearch.com
  3. 31 per cent of female motorists suffer from queue rage within ten minutes of being stuck in traffic
  4. If not using a hands free kit
  5. £60 fine and three points.  Source:  Department of Transport
  6. 3 per cent of the number of female motorists with provisional and full licenses (18,970,948). Based on DVLA research, January 2006

About Sheilas' Wheels:

Sheilas’ Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counseling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.

Sponsorship:

Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas’ Wheels could cover you."