Should Women Drive Coaches ?
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DURING an inquiry into a recent coaching accident one of the facts which were brought to light was that the vehicle was driven by a woman. Now, so far as the law is concerned, there is nothing to prevent a woman driving a motor coach, providing that the local licensing regulations do not debar her from so doing, but, in our opinion, it is very questionable whether a woman can really be considered fully qualified to drive a coach, particularly if this be of large size. Some of these vehicles require a considerable amount of strength in their handling, and particularly in braking, and, apart from the question of strength, there is that of nervous temperament. It is essential that the driver of a coach should remain cool and collected in moments of stress, and. although a great many members of the so-called weaker sex may possess these qualifications, yet they are not generally so widely distributed amongst them as in the case of the masculine sex. Apart %tom this, our observations have shown us that, when dealing with mechanical matters, women have not the patience of men. Few are born mechanicians, and they are rather apt to take risks which a greater knowledge of the vehicles they control would show them to be such. If women are to be permitted to drive coaches, we certainly think that their efforts should at least be confined to the lighter types with a carrying capacity not exceeding 14. Such vehicles should be well within their physical capabilities and not likely to cause undue fatigue on journeys of moderate length.