Cops who pull drivers over for traffic violations have heard every excuse imaginable—and some that probably aren’t. In most cases, the driver pleads ignorance (I didn’t know, I didn’t see it, who, me?), but the kind of claimed ignorance depends on whether the driver is a man or a woman, according to Insurance.com’s latest “Ticketmaster” survey of 500 drivers.
Men tended to come up with stereotypically male excuses, such as “I was just helping a friend,” or “the GPS was broken.” Women also stuck with stereotypes, such as, “I’m lost” or “I had to go to the bathroom.” Here’s a breakdown of the top 11 excuses, along with the male/female breakdown.
I couldn’t see the sign telling me not to do it: 20.4%
Men: 38%
Women: 62%
I’m lost and unfamiliar with the roads: 15.6%
Men: 35%
Women: 65%
I didn’t know it was broken (as in headlight or taillight):12.4%
Men: 39%
Women: 61%
Everyone else was doing the same thing: 6.4%
Men: 56%
Women: 44%
I’m having an emergency situation in my car (spilled hot drink in lap): 5.4%
Men: 67%
Women: 33%
I missed my turn/exit: 4.8%
Men: 54%
Women: 46%
I had to go to the bathroom: 4.6%
Men: 35%
Women: 65%
I didn’t do anything dangerous: 4.2%
Men: 71%
Women: 29%
I was on my way to an emergency: 4%
Men: 55%
Women: 45%
My GPS said it was the right thing to do: 2.2%
Men: 82%
Women: 18%
I’m just helping out; I wasn’t even supposed to be driving:2%
Men: 90%
Women: 10%