Women at the wheel

Laranzo Dacres, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Recent acts of courage and quick-thinking on the part of female bus drivers at the state-run bus company, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) have painted a beautiful picture of professional grace.

A year ago, driver Annette Howard rallied to the aid of more than 100 passengers of an American Airline plane which overshot the runway at the Norman Manley International Airport, in Kingston. She was off-duty, but on hearing the impact of the plane crash she rushed to the scene and managed to help transport passengers to safety. Howard was recognised by the Government of Jamaica with a national honour.

And, in February this year, driver Diane Getfield-Martin managed to avert a potential disaster in the crowded Half-Way Tree area of St Andrew by crashing the bus she was driving - and which developed brake problems - into a wall.

According to Reginald Allen, the JUTC's corporate communications manager, the company introduced female drivers to their staff complement in 2005. However, it was not until 2007/2008 that the company embarked on a large-scale staff rationalisation which saw a greater number of females taken on as drivers.

"We had a need for drivers, while we were disengaging conductors and conductresses in keeping with a worldwide concept where the driver alone conducts all the operations of the bus," the communication manager said.

Back as drivers

He said a number of conductresses, who were disengaged in the rationalisation process, returned to the JUTC for training and are now drivers.

Today, female drivers make up a little over 12.5 per cent of the fleet of JUTC drivers.

"We have over 800 drivers and females account for over 100 of them," said Allen.

"We have had fairly good performances from the females so far."

According to Allen, female drivers generally display a calmer disposition, are more understanding of the needs of commuters, and more focused on the task at hand compared to their male counterparts.

In a previous interview with Automotives, psychologist Veronica Salter said females are considered safer drivers.

"There is a higher number of accidents by young males on the roads. This is because of the high testosterone level among young males which pushes them to drive fast and take risks. Women don't usually act that way, although they still have accidents, which are usually caused by other circumstances," she explained.

While not discounting male drivers, Allen had high praises for their female counterparts.

"The commuters find better favour with the female drivers as they are more understanding with the children and more patient with the elders on the bus. Not saying the males are not, but these traits are generally more outstanding in females,"Allen said.