Kids Rate Moms as Better Drivers than Dads

They say kids don't lie. So here's what they answered when asked which of their parents was a better driver. Six out of ten children aged five to sixteen claim they are happier and more relaxed when their mother is behind the wheel than when their father is driving, according to a UK survey.

Kids say their fathers drive too fast, are more aggressive and lose their temper quickly when driving. The 1,279 children that were included in the GEM Motoring Assist poll thought their mothers are less likely to suffer from road rage, don’t switch lanes at speed in order to avoid traffic jams and are more tolerant to other motorists. The kids admit however that their moms are more likely to stall the car or find it hard to park. Still, they rate their mothers as better drivers than their fathers.

"The research shows that while mom might not be the most skilled driver, she is certainly the most calm. Unfortunately many children seem to dread getting in the car with dad because his mood is unpredictable and they never know when he is going to get an attack of road rage”, said David Williams, CEO of GEM, quoted by the Telegraph.

“Dads seem more intent on getting from A to B as quickly as possible, whereas moms will take things slower and spend her time singing or chatting to the kids rather than getting annoyed with other drivers,” Williams added. The study also found kids don't like fathers being impatient when driving and 83 percent said they often drive too fast. Children also said more than half of fathers shout at other drivers and 35 percent said they felt nervous when they lost their temper.

By contrast, 70 percent of children said their mothers sing while driving and 52 percent said they talk non-stop. But kids admit their mothers aren’t perfect drivers. Seven in 10 youngsters said their mother was more likely to stall the car when pulling away from a junction or performing a hill start and 64 percent claimed they were incapable of reverse parking.