Almost 20% of women drivers in Britain avoid using motorways because of a fear of breaking down, a survey by a car insurance company has revealed.
Direct Line Motor Insurance discovered that over two and a half million women drivers were travelling an extra 384 miles every year simply to avoid major roads, meaning wasted petrol costs and expensive wear and tear to their cars.
The car insurance firm also revealed that 45% of those questioned said that the thought of breaking down on the motorway made them feel vulnerable, while over a quarter admitted to being apprehensive about the possibility of having an accident.
The survey also brought to light the fact that the majority of women's car insurance claims involve small bumps and scrapes, whereas men seem to be involved in more serious, larger scale crashes.
Craig Handy from CoverGirl Car Insurance Services, expert providers of women's car insurance, said, "People who fear motorways are often those that are less experienced. Women tend to drive less than men and so that could explain some of these figures.
"Some experts, however, claim that drivers are statistically less likely to crash on the motorway than on any other road."