What You Should Know About Driving as a Woman

Despite what you might think, driving as a woman isn’t all that different from driving as a man. Sure, there are some aspects that might be different—but if you take care to pay attention to the rules of the road, understand how other drivers might act differently, and are smart about your driving practices, you’ll be just fine behind the wheel. Here’s what you need to know before you go!

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Dress for safety

Even if you're wearing your favorite skinny jeans and high heels, it's important to remember that what you wear does have an impact on your safety. Although you might be tempted to throw on whatever shoes are at hand when rushing out of your house in order to beat traffic, it's worth investing in a few key pieces of footwear designed with your needs in mind. Heels, while they might make you feel more put-together and confident, can cause damage to your body when forced into long periods of wear or overpavement. You don't want that added stress weighing down on your drive! Comfortable flats or running shoes will allow for natural foot position, support and breathability—all without taking away from how stylishly put together you look.

Pack for safety

As with anything else in life, safety should be your first concern when it comes to getting behind the wheel. That means making sure you’re fully prepared for whatever happens on your drive. Women should make sure to pack snacks, water and any medication they may need during their trip (not to mention extra clothes just in case!). If possible, find out if there are any discount services offered by rental car companies specifically for women. And don’t forget—make sure you get ample sleep before hitting up that highway!

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Plan your stops

In addition to keeping up with traffic, there are other things you should plan for when driving long distances. For example, if you’re driving at night, don’t just assume that there will be enough gas stations on your route. Think about where you can stop and get gas, get some food to eat, or use an actual bathroom facility. Plan for extra time and make stops where needed to ensure a comfortable journey for yourself and others on board.

Do roadside stops differently than men do

When you pull off on a roadside stop to take care of business, do you do it quickly and get back on the road? If so, you might want to consider doing things differently. A study conducted by Women’s Auto Center found that women should avoid making quick stops on unfamiliar territory because they are more likely to experience something potentially dangerous. The dangers include being followed home or attacked by another driver. When in unfamiliar territory, make sure someone knows where you are and try to find secure parking with visible emergency services nearby in case anything goes wrong.

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Keep your car stocked with emergency supplies

When you're out driving, no matter how minor an issue or inconvenience seems, always be prepared to be self-sufficient. It's important to have supplies in your car at all times. Pack some nonperishable food and water, blankets and warm clothing, flashlights and first aid kits—whatever items you'd need if you got stranded on your way home from work. Keep those things somewhere easy to reach—for example, just in case you get into an accident or break down after dark on a remote road, don't leave your emergency kit on the floorboard; instead put it under one of your seats or in your trunk so that it's readily accessible when needed.

Don’t forget your phone and charger

It may sound obvious, but cellphones are sometimes forgotten in a rush to get out of the house. Before you go, check your bag or purse and make sure your phone is there and fully charged. If you’re going to be stuck at home waiting for news, let friends and family know that you might not be available. If you have no choice but to drive with no phone, try turning it off completely (if possible) or put it on airplane mode to conserve battery life. 

Photo by Gustavo Fring

Get directions before you start driving

Smartphones have made it easier than ever to get directions, but one piece of tech may make it even simpler: The navigation system on your car. Most newer cars come with onboard navigation systems that can save directions from your phone to your dashboard. Simply type in where you're going, plug in your destination and go! If you don't have an onboard GPS system, downloading a GPS app is another way to avoid sending texts while driving. Make sure you look up alternate routes before you start driving so you'll know how long it will take to get there and what road conditions to expect. Don't rely solely on online reviews when choosing which route will be quickest—these can be subjective based on each driver's style or experience with certain roads.

Take pictures of your car in case it gets stolen

Cars are stolen from people’s driveways and parking lots every day, so be sure to take pictures of your car, just in case it gets stolen. Even if you don’t want to deal with all that hassle, at least remember what your vehicle looks like if someone steals it. Take pictures of your license plate, as well. That way you can report it quickly to police and they can attempt to locate and return your car.

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Ask friends and family to look out for you while you drive alone

If you have friends or family in an area where you’ll be driving by yourself, make sure to let them know that you’re driving to your destination. Ask them to keep an eye out for your car (or their car) and drive carefully around it. This may seem silly or embarrassing but it really is one of the easiest ways to help women stay safe while they’re driving alone—and it gives them one less thing to worry about when they leave home. And if you do run into trouble, remember that *82 on your cell phone will put you in touch with local police departments who can send help if need be.

Always be alert while driving

One important thing to remember is that other drivers might not be paying attention to your car, no matter how hard you try to get their attention. In today’s day and age, people are often distracted by cell phones or other electronics. Some even take driving for granted when they aren’t paying attention. Pay extra attention on roads you’re not familiar with, particularly during rush hour times when there are more people on the road overall. If you can avoid accidents, drive defensively and keep an eye out for cars behind you that may be about to make a left turn in front of you.