Who Causes More Car Accidents, Male or Female Drivers?

With over 1,400 crashes in Tennessee resulting in death or severe injuries in a single recent year, 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 a recent year there were:

• 1.63 million male drivers in traffic accidents involving injuries
• 1.19 million female drivers in traffic accidents involving injuries

In other words, male drivers are about 37 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:

• Male drivers were involved in 39,112 fatal crashes
• Female drivers were involved in 12,938 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.

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 one recent year alone, 4,773 impaired male drivers died in drunk driving crashes, compared to 1,329 female drivers.
• Speeding – Male drivers are more likely to break the speed limit. In a recent year, 6,607 male motorists were involved in fatal speeding-related accidents, compared to 1,887 women 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.