Jessica Schoner @ Network Distance on: StarTrib on Gender and Driving, and the Oh-so-timely Death of “Woman Driver” Jokes

She writes

“Given all these external forces that influence travel needs and choices, my conclusion is that there is likely no inherent physiological difference causing the difference in travel behavior; or if a biological difference exists, it is marginal and unmeasurable relative to these larger forces. These social, economic, and cultural forces shape the stereotypes of male and female drivers that we are so familiar with.”

I agree culture is important. I disagree that physiological differences don’t have effects. In particular, I think culture has a large biological component (culture and biology are mutually co-evolving systems). Risk taking has clear biological elements to it, and obviously drives a lot of traffic safety issues.