A new study released says women are better and safer drivers than men. Also, women are calmer and less distracted, where men let their tempers flare, especially during the summer months when temperatures are higher.

The study also says men spend more time being lost than women when driving. In fact men drive an extra 276 miles every year, the equivalent to a journey from Cincinnati to Nashville, as a result of being lost. However, women are lost only about 20 miles less a year.

More than one out of four men -- 26 percent -- wait at least half an hour before asking for directions, with a stubborn 12 percent (one out of ten) refusing to ask a stranger for help at all.

The study didn't address which gender is more likely to get lost; just which sex is more likely to ask for directions.

The estimated the cost of gas used by each man driving around lost and reluctant to ask for help could add up to thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

For women, it's almost the exact opposite. Almost three-quarters of women -- 74 percent -- have no qualms about asking for directions, with 37 percent admitting to pulling over as soon as they realize they are lost, compared to just 30 percent of men.

The study revealed age plays a difference in time spent lost while driving.

In fact, the research revealed that people older than 55 generally have the best sense of direction. The 55-plus age group got lost 26 times a year, compared to those under 25 who despite having GPS technology, managed to get lost an average of 37 times a year.

Drivers in their mid-thirties are more likely to stop and ask for directions, taking about 15 minutes on average before stopping and asking for directions compared to the under 25-age group who will wait an average of 22 minutes to ask.

An astounding 40 percent of men who did ask for directions didn't trust or follow the directions they were given.

Breaking it down further, the research indicated about a third of male drivers would rather ask a woman than a man for directions. About a fourth WILL ask a man, although 41 percent pretended they knew where they were going even though they were lost.

The study was conducted by British car insurance company Sheila's Wheels.

Source: ABC News, WGN-TV