GENDER, TRANSPORT AND EMPLOYMENT: THE IMPACT OF TRAVEL CONSTRAINTS. CHAPTER 9. WOMEN, TRAVEL AND PERSONAL SECURITY

This chapter considers some personal security problems faced by women travelling in the UK, together with some possible solutions. It presents the results of several surveys that have examined the influence of women's perceptions of personal security on their travel decisions; these surveys provide definite evidence of the widespread and serious nature of British women's fears about travelling, especially at night. The principal factors affecting levels of apprehension are: (1) age; (2) race; (3) sexual orientations; (4) economic status (cars and taxis are perceived to be safest); (5) activity levels and the presence of other people; (6) time of day; (7) lighting; (8) tidiness and cleanliness; (9) frequency of travel (women who travel more are less fearful). Proposals to reduce women's travels fears include: (1) improved policing and staffing of public transport systems; (2) situational crime prevention, especially by better lighting; (3) social crime prevention; (4) improved frequency and reliability of public transport services; (5) provision of women's safe transport at night. The author expresses concern that several major transport operators in UK conurbations consider that personal security among passengers is not a problem, and suggests three possible reasons for this. For the covering abstract of the book see IRRD 829787.