Oh oh, Science Asks Are Men Really Better With Directions Than Women And Got An Answer, Even For Massachusetts!

So, are men better with directions? Let's find out. If you're from the New England area, you are all too familiar with the phrase "bang a U-ee"  For out of staters that means make a u turn. so we have our own way of communicating here in Massachusetts. If you are not familiar with our roads, you better have a good navigation system.

A study found the old stereotype that men are better navigators might actually be true.  But not because they're naturally better at it.  They think society causes it by encouraging boys to do things like play outside more often.  So men start honing those skills at a younger age than women do.

Researchers at the University of Illinois say the old stereotype that men are better at navigating might actually be TRUE.  But not for the reasons you might think.

They had men and women try to navigate their way through a city using only a map, or verbal instructions.  And the guys performed significantly better than the women did.

Experts used to think maybe men evolved to be better navigators by doing more hunting and gathering.  But a study over a decade ago disproved that idea.

So why would men be better at finding their way around than women?  They think it's because men get more practice at it, especially when they're young.

Society encourages boys to play outside more than girls.  So they might develop more of those navigational skills at a young age, and have more time to hone them throughout their life.

It's also just a trend they saw, not a hard-and-fast rule.  There are plenty of women who are great navigators, and plenty of men who suck at it.

A previous study looked at the spatial awareness skills of men and women who had similar upbringings.  And when that was the case, women were just as good at navigating as men were.

(New Scientist / NY Post / Royal Society)

Where IS the WORSE state for driving? Well being from here, I can't say that I am optimistic that our beloved state of Massachusetts will score well on the latest Wallethub study. I am blessed that my work hours are not subject to morning or afternoon commuting. BUT, I have been a victim of awful congestion, dangerous rotaries and terrible road conditions like potholes.

While it's great to have a job to go to, working from home is a tremendous convenience, especially during winter weather. Long before the work from home concept began, I DID have an office job. Back in 2008, I was a radio manager here in Boston. I LIVED in Rhode Island. So to make it to my office on time, arriving by 8:30am, I had to be IN my car driving BY 6:15am the latest. If I missed that 6:15 window by even FIVE minutes, I would not be in the office on time by 8:30am. If I left by 6:15am, I would, get to the office by 7:45am, or 8am, leaving plenty of time to settle in and relax, knowing I beat the traffic. The traffic going home, was another story entirely.

Add to potholes, congested roads, we have the worst rotaries as well. According to a 2021 Boston.com poll:

…in the responses to our latest poll asking people for their least favorite rotaries in Greater Boston; almost 350 drivers responded, using no shortage of adjectives in doing so: “horrifying,” “terrifying,” and “painful” were all well represented, along with the phrases “hot mess,” “nightmare fuel,” and “hell of all hells.”

Our friends at Wallethub shared an in-depth report reporting the best and worse states to drive in:

To determine the most driver-friendly states in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states across 31 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality.

Before we see where Massachusetts ranks, let's take a ride to the BEST states for driving.

According to Wallethub, Iowa is NUMBER ONE!

Iowa is the best state to drive in, due in part to the fact that it’s a rural state and has one of the lowest rush-hour traffic congestion rates in the country. Less than a quarter of urban interstates in Iowa experience congestion during peak hours. In addition, Iowa drivers tend to have short commutes, at less than 20 minutes on average.

Iowa residents also can save a lot of money on their vehicle expenses, given that Iowa is in the top 10 states when it comes to low gas prices and car insurance rates. Plus, the Hawkeye state has one of the lowest rates of vehicle theft and larceny, so residents can feel safe and secure.

Wallethub says Georgia rocks when it comes to driving:

The second-best state to drive in is Georgia. Everyone knows the nightmare scenario of not being able to find a gas station when you’re on empty – but Georgia has the most gas stations and the ninth-most alternative fuel stations in the country per capita.

Georgia also takes the problem of driving while intoxicated very seriously, with the second-strictest DUI laws in the country, although Georgians still have a lot of work to do when it comes to speeding and distracted driving.

To top things off, owning a car can be pretty cheap in Georgia. Georgians have the third-lowest auto maintenance costs and gas prices in the country.

Kansas is the third-best state for drivers, and one of the contributing factors is improving road safety. Kansas had one of the biggest year-over-year decreases in the traffic fatality rate, at over 12%, according to the most recent data. This may be partially due to the fact that Kansas drivers speed less frequently than people in most states.

According to the Wallethub report:

As long as you avoid tornado's, Wallethub chose the home of Dorothy as #3:

Kansas has some of the most roadway miles per capita in the country, but keeps those roads well-maintained, with the 10th best road quality. Keeping roads paved well probably isn’t too hard, though, given that Kansas is “flatter than a pancake.”

Since Kansas has a low population and lots of farmland, it makes sense that it has a low traffic congestion rate, too. Clear roadways definitely contribute to the state’s third-place ranking.

While do GREAT for raising a family, as expected, Massachusetts scored pretty bad when it comes to driving:

Driving in Massachusetts (1=Best; 25=Avg.):