And the battle of the sexes rages on: a previous study had shown that men were better at parking than women, but new research indicates ladies may actually out-park dudes. When will this all-important issue be resolved?
A 2009 study of 65 parkers found that women took longer and were still less accurate. But according to the Telegraph, now a hilariously scientific and serious followup has used "covert surveillance" of 700 British parking lots and come to a different conclusion. Yes, ladies are slower, but in the larger study, they were more likely be right in the middle of the spot — and better at finding spots in the first place. They were also more likely to back into spots, which apparently is recommended. Researchers added all these factors up into a "parking coefficient" and found that women beat men, 13.4 to 12.3 (out of a possible 20).
This earth-shattering discovery is sure to put to rest the idea that women can't park (according to the Telegraph, "a cliché almost as old as the motor car itself"), because that is how stereotypes work. Seriously though, at least one guy is apparently changing his mind — driving instructor and study designer Neil Beeson says, "In my experience men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons. However, it's possible that women have retained the information better. The results also appear to dispel the myth that men have better spatial awareness than women." Also, one lady racecar driver is like well, duh — Vicki Butler-Henderson says, "Women do take more time, but I know a lot of male racing drivers who win races and are incredible round a track but can't park for toffee." In other news, the BBC is currently developing a new game show called Parking for Toffee. Coming this fall.
Women are better at parking than men, study suggests [Telegraph]
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