The latest survey AA Insurance found that while men were more confident in their driving, it didn't make them better than the opposite sex.

In the poll of 2573 drivers, aged between 18 and 75, a quarter of men described themselves as impatient drivers, compared with 19 per cent of women.

"Men are more inclined than women to exhibit a range of risk taking behaviours while on the road," the NZPA quoted AA Insurance chief executive Chris Curtin, as saying.

"Men are more inclined to speed, show aggression, fall asleep behind the wheel and to identify themselves as impatient," he added.

According to the study, a relatively high 15 per cent of men admitted they exceeded the speed limit most of the time, even if only by a few kilometres per hour, compared with only 9 per cent of women.

However, the majority of both genders admitted breaking the speed limit at least some of the time - 79 per cent of women and 78 per cent of men, the study found.

Also, a quarter of men surveyed men had momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel, compared with 13 per cent of women.

When asked what they would do if tired when driving, 51 per cent of women said they would stop to take a power nap, compared with 46 per cent of men.