Transport: Men v. Women

Fortnight ago the National Safety Council announced that there were 17,200 deaths from motor accidents in the first six months of 1937—an alltime high (TIME, Aug. 16). Last week the American Automobile Association issued less vital but more controversial statistics when it announced that a survey of 10,000 persons between 20 and 40 years old in 35 U. S. cities had proved clearly that men are better drivers than women. Their average wheel grip measured 114 lb. against 63 lb. for women. They could withstand 58 units of light, whereas women could withstand only 55.1, and could recover in 5.55 sec. from glare which blinded women for 7.47 sec. Other tests indicated that men generally have quicker reactions, better hearing, better concentration when at the wheel, although women drive more slowly, distinguish colors better, have better vision from the corner of the eye. Quipped Safety Director Burton W. Marsh, who conducted the tests: “The ladies may not find it tactful to cite that men have higher blood pressure, because the men might say it’s caused by women drivers.”