Horns, Chauvinism, and Brake Lights: Surviving the Road as a Woman

By Abike Akintuyi Awojobi

It starts as a wave—then it grows. The nagging annoyance of being belittled behind the wheel, dismissed simply for being a woman. And then, it erupts: the fury of being slighted, gaslighted at every turn, unleashed on the next approaching driver—matching expertise for expertise, and, oftentimes, rage for rage.

Welcome to the world of the female driver. Every day, among the over 20 million women navigating roads across the country, discrimination persists. It doesn’t help that the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, earned that title over 80 years ago. Since then, the roads haven’t been kind to women, with their competence constantly questioned.

A Woman’s Competence Behind the Wheel

Is there ever a time a woman’s driving skills will be celebrated? As a female driver, I refuse to be modest when push comes to shove. There’s a deliberate effort on my part to ensure no man takes me for a ride.

“Yes, I live in Oshodi, and I ‘drag’ roads with many men who assume that behind my bespectacled face lies a frail woman. They’re wrong,” says Rasheeda from Adamawa. “Whenever they exhibit chauvinism on the highway, I make sure they doubt their own driver’s license.”

But not all women can assert themselves so boldly. Many instinctively defer to their male partners when sharing the wheel—perhaps a result of generational prejudice. Some downplay their skills to make men feel more comfortable in the car.

“Not me,” says Ifeoma. “I’m in competition with any man.” Ifeoma began driving within her estate two years before turning 18. Coming from an all-girls household, her father made sure she and her sisters learned early.

“Today, everyone knows me as a competent driver. I’ve been driving for 23 years and can boldly say I’ve never caused or been involved in an accident,” she shares. “When men hear my driving résumé, I couldn’t care less. I won’t let their insecurity affect me. In fact, my husband married me partly because of my driving skills. When I casually mentioned I’d driven from Enugu to Abuja, he hailed me as his future wife!”

Confidence on the road pays off. You’ll encounter all kinds of drivers, but a solid grasp of road rules and sharp instincts will guide your decisions—ensuring no one faults you simply for being a woman.

When Fear Takes the Wheel

Yet, for some, confidence is easier said than done. Felicia still carries the trauma of an accident that nearly claimed her life.

“I became the trauma,” she admits. “For years, I avoided driving, relying only on trusted drivers. But hiring one wasn’t sustainable, so I had to get back behind the wheel.”

The first few weeks were a nightmare. Every honk, every turn made her fidget uncontrollably. The insults—particularly from men—shattered her. “Oh, na woman sef,” became a recurring jab whenever she hesitated.

Fortunately, her story isn’t all gloom. Gradually, she shed her fear and eased into driving. “The insults still come occasionally, but they don’t affect me like before.”

Are Women Kinder to Each Other on the Road?

The bigger question is: Do women support one another on the road? The answer isn’t straightforward.

Radiant, a vehicle inspection officer, recalls complimenting a woman on her well-maintained car. “The car was hers alone, driven for nearly three years, yet the body and interior were pristine—proof of a disciplined driver,” she notes.

“Yes, I’m well-behaved,” the driver said. “I don’t rush. Abuja has good roads, so there’s no need to ‘drag’ with others. Plus, I completed proper driving lessons and passed my DTT test before getting my license. If every woman—and man—learned this way instead of relying on husbands, brothers, or mechanics, they’d drive competently without judgment.”

Gender and Road Safety: What Studies Say

Globally, studies have examined whether gender influences road safety and traffic violations. Unsurprisingly, men—who dominate driving—account for more accidents. However, women are cited for more traffic infractions, often attributed to misinterpreting road signs.

For a woman to command respect behind the wheel, she must master signals, markings, and regulatory signs: stop at police, no left turn, no U-turn, no waiting. Quick, informed decisions ensure smooth traffic flow.

The Final Gear

With bustling city traffic, women must consciously bring their best to the road. Tobi recalls a moment that stuck with her:

“Once, I made a clean stop just before a traffic light turned red. I’d accelerated, hoping to beat it, but in a split second, I knew I wouldn’t make it and braked in time. A traffic warden gave me a thumbs-up, praising my quick judgment. She even left her post to see who was driving. As she walked away, I wondered if she knew my husband jokes that I once interned with a car smuggler!”