AA Say They Don't Prioritise Lone Women Ahead Of Men 'Because That's Equality'

A 'lone' woman who opted to call The AA after her car broke down at night was told that, as a woman, she wouldn't be given priority over a man because 'that's equality'.

Yesterday evening (20 Jan) the woman tweeted The AA social media account, informing them she was told by a call handler to wait 'alone in the dark for 90 minutes or more'.

She wrote: "hi @TheAA_UK I am a lone woman whose car has broken down at night in the dark. Your call handler has told me you treat lone women and lone men as exactly the same priority in such circumstances because 'that’s equality'."

Twitter

She added: "I am pretty sure that is not equality. 

"I will now wait alone in the dark for 90 minutes or more, something which as a lone woman nowhere near home is far more anxiety-provoking than it would be for a man, if you follow the news.

"I think your policies need a revamp."

The AA replied: "Hi (name of woman), you've been advised correctly.

"We don't prioritise based on gender, we do consider the location so as an example we would prioritise someone on a motorway over someone in a supermarket carpark."

Alamy

Their response sparked an outcry on social media with some taking aim at the company.

However, AA have since apologised for the wording of their response.

According to Metro, a spokesperson said: "We accept that the wording of our initial response wasn’t great and have apologised. 

"In fact, we prioritise anyone at risk but more often than not it will be lone women.

"In breakdowns involving lone women where there is any concern raised by the customer they receive the highest level of care and priority."

AA president, Edmund King OBE also tweeted: "Please rest assured we give priority to anyone at risk."

He added: "'It is illegal for anyone providing goods, facilities or services in the UK to discriminate because you are a man or woman'.

"But rest assured we use common sense to provide priority to those at risk and more often than not it will be a lone woman.

"We are here to help you."

LADbible has reached The AA for comment.

Anish Vij

Anish is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2024 finalist. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

@Anish_Vij