The study of several hundred drivers in both Ireland and the UK revealed that nearly half of men in Britain would allow a female travelling companion change a flat tyre. This contrasts with 30% of men in Ireland.

One in three UK males confessed to using any excuse to get out of the task, compared with just 1 in 7 Irish men. On both sides of the water, women no longer see changing a wheel as a man’s job, but this is especially the case in Ireland (62%).

The research unearthed a startling difference between UK and Irish drivers’ familiarity in dealing with punctures.  94% of males here said they had actually changed a tyre at some stage, compared with just over 50% of males in Britain.  Just under half of Irish women said they had changed a tyre, with 45% having had to call friends or family for help: something only 5% of Irish men would admit to.

The most common excuse for avoiding changing a tyre is that it might ruin one’s outfit – and men are more likely to use it than women.  Of those who admitted using excuses, 42% of Irish males and 31% of females said they didn’t want to dirty their clothes. 

One quarter of Irish motorists admitted to having missed or arrived late for an important appointment due to a flat tyre. In most cases this was a work meeting, with flights and weddings also mentioned.

“This research tells us that Irish males are well used to dealing with punctures – much more so than their British counterparts.  The poor state of our roads is likely to be a telling factor here,” comments Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres in Ireland. “It’s little wonder that British men are less chivalrous, when most don’t know how to change a tyre.”

“The picture which emerges for women gives some cause for concern.  While most Irish women no longer see a tyre change as a man’s job, only 42% claim to know how to do it themselves. They rely heavily on the breakdown services, but 1 in 4 of them are not members of a breakdown service. There is a clear safety message here: ladies, you should really learn how to change a wheel just in case the need arises when no one is available to help.”

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