FOR years, women motorists have suffered jokes from men about their driving ability. A recent survey of 1,000 drivers, conducted by Green Flag Motoring Assistance and the road safety charity Brake, has revealed that women are actually safer on the roads than men, in many ways.

The survey revealed:

Women are more willing to receive additional driver training, such as advanced driving courses, than men (44 per cent of women compared with 29 per cent of men). However, more men than women have actually received further training (28 per cent of men compared with 12 per cent of women)

Women are less likely to speed in towns than men (32 per cent of women compared with 50 per cent of men)

Women are half as likely to risk driving at 7am if they have had a lot to drink the night before (11 per cent of women and 22 per cent of men)

Women are less likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel than men (6 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men)

Women are less likely to use a mobile phone while driving than men (30 per cent of women and 44 per cent of men).

Chief executive of Brake Mary Williams said: "Men, who typically admit to taking more risks while driving than women, need to re-discover their feminine side.

"Women should remember that components on their cars can be crucial to safety not just toys for boys.

"With 66 deaths on our roads every week, none of us can afford to be complacent. We all need to commit to putting safety first every time we drive."

More men than women seem to think that being a good driver gives them the right to speed, while fewer women than men believe that having a good set of brakes means they can drive faster.

Women are also more conscientious when it comes to belting up. They are more likely to belt up in the back of a car than men, and also more likely to refuse to carry passengers who won't wear their seatbelts.

Women feel that more speed cameras and traffic police would improve their safety, and would welcome tougher penalties for traffic offences.

Women are also tougher on offenders, with most favouring sentences of 10 or more years for drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents.