With 1,097 fatal crashes in Tennessee in 2024, understanding who has more car accidents, men or women, can help drivers, automobile manufacturers, safety experts, medical professionals, and legal advocates take appropriate measures to reduce injuries and fatalities.
One way to begin the investigation is to look at car accident statistics by gender to answer the question: do men or women get in more car accidents?
Car Accident Statistics: Male vs. Female
The straightforward answer to the men vs. women car accidents question is clear: men are more likely to be in crashes than women. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2023 there were:
- 1.78 million male drivers in traffic accidents involving injuries
- 1.32 million female drivers in traffic accidents involving injuries
In other words, male drivers are about 34 percent more likely than female drivers to be involved in serious motor vehicle crashes. But the difference in fatal car accidents tilts even more heavily toward male drivers. According to NHTSA’s 2023 data:
- Male drivers were involved in 42,101 fatal crashes
- Female drivers were involved in 14,186 fatal crashes
While male drivers get into more car crashes, women have a 73 percent higher chance of injury and a 17 percent higher chance of death in car accidents than men, based on 2022 figures from the vehicle safety group Verity Now.
Who Gets Into More Car Accidents?
Men tend to engage in riskier driving behaviors than women, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Their findings examine driver age, drunk driving, and speeding between men and women:
- Age – Male drivers across all age groups are more likely than female drivers to be involved in deadly car crashes.
- Alcohol – For decades, male drivers have been far more likely to have accidents with BACs at or above the 0.08 percent legal limit. In 2024 alone, 4,236 impaired male drivers died in drunk driving crashes, compared to 1,142 female drivers.
- Speeding – Male drivers are more likely to break the speed limit. In 2024, 5,830 male motorists were involved in fatal speeding-related accidents, compared to 1,513 female drivers.
How Men and Women Drive Differently
Various factors explain the differences in driving habits and the statistical disparity between men and women drivers:
- Risky business – Male drivers tend to be more likely to drive aggressively, speed, drink and drive, and not wear seatbelts. Women are generally more cautious, obey speed limits, and wear seat belts more frequently.
- Vehicle choices – Women tend to drive smaller vehicles that offer less protection against serious injuries. Male drivers tend to choose bigger, heavier cars, SUVs, and light trucks, which provide greater physical security in a crash.
- Frequent drivers – According to the Federal Highway Administration, male drivers average 16,550 miles annually, while women drive about 10,142 miles. More miles and more time on the road put male drivers at greater risk for more accidents.
Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you’re hurt in a car accident and believe you deserve compensation from the at-fault party, talk to our experienced Tennessee car accident lawyers. The Terry Law Firm has provided a family tradition of legal services since 1960, combining small-town friendliness with big-city know-how to fight for our clients.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.
