Children feel safer with mum

 British survey has found that six out of 10 children aged five to 16 are happier and more relaxed when their mother is driving.  Australian road safety campaigner Russell White said parents should remember they are a role model to their children and it was important for children to feel safe in the car.

"Kids exposed to poor driving copy that behaviour," he said. "They are a product of their parents."They watch everything that is going on and those seeds that are planted early come to fruit in their teens."  

The British Guild of Experienced Motorists survey found that children believed their father drove too fast, was more aggressive and lost their tempers too quickly.  Mums were less likely to suffer from road rage, did not dodge in and out of traffic, were more considerate to other motorists and have nicer cars.

However, the poll found that children said their mum was more likely to stall the car, bump into a wall and had difficulty parking.  White said there was no doubt women drove differently to men.

"Women are more neutral in their views of the external environment while men are more aggressive," he said.  "It's one of the reasons kids get car sick."

The survey found that children didn't like dad's impatience while 83 per cent said he often drove at high speeds.  When dad is driving too quickly, 39 per cent knew not to comment, 22 per cent gripped the seat in front of them nervously and only 26 per cent asked dad to slow down.

More than half of dads were accused of regularly shouting at other drivers and 35 per cent of children said they were nervous when dads lost their temper.  In contrast, 70 per cent of children said mum happily sings her heart out while driving and 52 per cent said she talked non-stop to keep the family entertained.

However, before mums and dads start to fight over their driving abilities, one-third of children said they were embarrassed to be driven around by either of their parents.  Mother of three and director of Cicero Communications Kathryn Britt said their family was not typical of the survey results.

"Yeah, we feel equally unsafe with both parents," joked 15-year-old son Sam.  However, three-year-old daughter Ella said her mum is typical of the survey as she sings and talks more while driving.  "That's what I don't like," says Ruby, 13.

The study found two thirds of kids say dad is more likely to weave in and out of the traffic, changing lanes at speed to avoid getting stuck in a jam.  Dads are more intent on getting from A to B as quickly as possible, whereas mums take things slower and spend their time singing or chatting to the kids rather than getting annoyed with other drivers.

55 per cent of dads are said to have had more accidents than mums  probably because 78 percent are more aggressive.  When dad is shouting at other drivers, 30 per cent of children slump down in their seat to hide, while 2 per cent cry.

A quarter of children admit their dad's driving scares them.  Seven in 10 children say mum is more likely to stall the car when pulling away from a junction or performing a hill start and 64 per cent of kids say mum is incapable of reverse parking.

67 per cent say their mums bump into walls, road signs and lamp-posts.  mum is most likely to get lost when driving.  Dads are more likely to use their mobile phone illegally.

Things kids don't live about dad's driving

Drives too fast
Shouts at other drivers
Dodges in and out of the traffic
Too aggressive Has more accidents

Things kids like about mum's driving

Talks to keep the children entertained
Sings in the car
Has a nicer car