MMDA says female drivers more safety-conscious

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is considering offering incentives, such as exemption to the color coding scheme to bus operators who have an equal number of male and female drivers, reports Saksi. The news comes after reports of the MMDA's proposal to hire more female bus drivers, who are supposedly "more safety-conscious," according to MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino. Saksi said the MMDA is aware it cannot impose their proposal to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), thus, the agency is thinking of offering perks.

The MMDA has written to the LTFRB, asking them to encourage bus companies to have 50 percent female drivers and 50 percent male ones, according to reports. The LTFRB will consult with the bus drivers regarding the issue.

Citing U.S. scientific studies, Tolentino said in an Inquirer.net report published Sunday, "(Female) drivers would give (operators) less headaches because they are more safety-conscious... (They) wear seatbelts... (and) are seldom involved in fatal accidents." He added that it would be ideal to have women fill in 50 percent of the slots for drivers "or better yet, 100 percent." In a TV report, he said men can work as bus conductors.

from SPOT