Since 1886 when German Karl Benz invented car, men have dominated the driving of all types of automobiles for over 130 years.
In Africa, a woman driving about 50 years ago was considered a witch. But, that misconception is becoming a thing of the past. Adom TV takes you on a journey to show you how beautifully and safely many women are now driving many different types of automobiles.
Prince Owusu interviewed Shallotte Gonzah, 26 years old female driver, at Kotoka International Airport.
From there, the News Team rode on to East Legon, one of Accra’s uptown suburbs that is home to hundreds of upper-class families the women of which frequently drive. Out of 70 cars captured on camera, about 40 had women behind the steering wheels. Here’s a chat Owusu had with the East Legon area female drivers (Video above).
Thanks to Accra’s notorious traffic jams, Prince Owusu and his Crew had several close-range shots of females behind the wheels of both private and commercial vehicles. Talk about Nkrumah Circle Interchange, New Town, Kaneshie, Kotoka Airport, Teshie or Nungua; they were just there!
Vehicles these female drivers love riding are mostly saloon cars and mini-buses, with a few tougher ones jumping behind heavy truck steering wheels. And, just look at how clean their cars are, as compared to their male counterparts (Video above).
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If you fear Ghana’s roads and highways are moving towards a lawless jungle state, female drivers can surely give you some consolation. They wear their seat-belts religiously, ensure their brake and parking lights function properly, and traffic indicators glow enough to avoid ambiguity. You wonder the women’s composure behind the wheels?
Steady is how our News Team found them. And, still about their law-abidance, it is noteworthy that the over 70 female drivers surveyed all had their insurance updated and stickers carefully displayed on their windscreens. When a woman is driving, does she allow herself to be distracted? She’s focused on the road and traffic ahead.
Now the question you probably are yearning to have answered: Do they press the speedometer? They say they speed or slow down, depending on the distance they have to make and how safe the road is. And, your other question: Do they give male drivers way to enter the traffic? Our sisters often beg male drivers to join the lanes ahead of them; but, they are far more stinger, when males ask for similar favour.
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And now, to the heavy-duty trucks…Bernice Bentsil, has been shuttling one of the Metro Mass Transit busses for 10 years from Kimbu in Accra to Tema; and, she enjoys driving!
Florence Marfo, 42, drives a VIP Jeoun, from Accra to Sunyani, avoiding all the ‘lions’ on Ghana’s most-accident-prone road by always ensuring “professionalism, driving safe and ensuring reliability,” as she puts it. She invites young ladies into the commercial driving space…
For 39-year-old Rita Baffuor Akoto, it is fire: a fire tender of the Ghana National Fire Service! “What men can do, women can also do,” is Rita’s inspirational guide (Video above).
So what do those who have been driving for over a century in Ghana – those still forming the overwhelming majority of drivers – say about women in driving?
Male drivers’ comments (video above).
Now, between male and female drivers, who are worse traffic offenders? The Police Motor, Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) would clearly be the best judges; so, our News Team knocked at the doors of the MTTD. Assistant Superintendent of Police Alexander Obeng is the Head of Training and Research at the MTTD (video above).
From January to September 2019 1,430 accidents that occurred, 1,177 came from men (82 percent) while 373 (or 26 percent) were by females.
He said, “if you are a male driver and you want to improve your driving, learn you’re your female counterparts.”
OUTRO by Owusu
Well, viewer, that’s what you saw. Maybe, next time you’re considering hiring a driver, you’ll scout for a woman. One thing for sure: if all men maintained their cars like women; if all men drove as safe as women do, roads in Ghana and the world at large would be far safer than they are on the still male-dominated roads.
Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News | Prince Owusu Asiedu