Number of cars owned by women races ahead 66% in 20 years

The proportion of cars owned by women has risen to more than two out of five, new figures show.

Women are the registered keepers of 10.6 million private cars, some 41% of the total on Britain's roads.

This compares with just 32% when current records began in 1994, according to Department for Transport data.

The number of cars owned by women has risen by 66% over the past 20 years, while the increase for men is just 23%.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The increase in women drivers and car owners is a reflection of societal changes over many decades which has led to more women than ever being in employment and enjoying financial independence.

"If anything the surprise in these figures is that women still only account for 41% of registered keepers given that they make up over half the population."