There may never be an end to the various battles of the sexes, but there is a clear winner when it comes to the question, “Who is safer behind the wheel?”
Stereotypes about male and female drivers are common. Men might view women as accident-prone, while women might view male drivers as reckless and aggressive. But are either of these stereotypes grounded in truth? Numerous studies have turned up surprisingly consistent answers.
Men Are Involved In More Accidents Than Women
One study found that men have a higher rate of involvement in nearly every type of wreck. This difference is especially pronounced among younger male drivers.
Specifically, men were more likely than women to be involved in the following:
- Multiple-vehicle wrecks
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Crashes on highways
- Vehicle accidents at night
- Collisions on wet roads
- Dangerous roads
In this study, the only type of car crash that women were more likely to be involved in than men were accidents resulting in hospitalization.
More Car Accident Fatality Victims Are Men
Men are also more likely to perish in car accidents than women are. In 2022, 42,606 individuals lost their lives in traffic crashes in the United States. This number includes pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and occupants of large commercial trucks.
In nearly every category, more men died in crashes than women:
- Passenger Vehicle Driver Fatalities: 14,062 men and 5,489 women
- Large Truck Driver Fatalities: 456 men and 16 women
- Large Truck Passenger Fatalities: 45 men and 16 women
- Pedestrian, Bicyclist, and Motorcyclist Fatalities: Men died in much larger numbers than women in each category
One category was the exception: More women than men were killed while riding as passengers in private vehicles. Over 3,100 female passengers died in these wrecks, compared to 2,973 male passengers.
Males Engage In Riskier Behavior
One reason that more men die in traffic crashes than women could be that men tend to engage in riskier behaviors behind the wheel. Over the course of 16 years, the number of male drivers with alcohol in their systems exceeded the number of females by nearly a three-to-one margin. Of the 14,062 male drivers killed with detectable alcohol in their systems, 33% had a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08, compared to 24% for females.
Data relating to drivers killed in speeding accidents showed a similar dynamic. For example, in 2022, 2,882 fatal accidents involving a male driver between the ages of 30 and 59 were caused by excessive speed. Only 817 female drivers in the same age range died in speeding-related crashes.
Men Drive More Miles Annually Than Women
The statistics seem to suggest that men are worse drivers than women. However, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. This is because men drive more than women.
The average male driver will rack up 16,550 miles each year, while the average woman will drive only 10,142 miles. Thus, even if men and women were equally safe drivers, men would have a higher risk of being involved in a crash because they spend more time behind the wheel.
Are Men Worse Drivers Than Women?
Based on the available data, men are more likely to be behind the wheel of any given vehicle and to engage in risky behavior while driving. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that men are more likely to be killed in car accidents than women.
However, the data does not cover the importance of individual choices. Driving responsibly can go a long way in reducing one’s chance of causing a wreck.
Contact the Chicago Car Accident Law Firm of Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago car accident lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
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Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone:(312) 726-1616
Hours: Open 24/7
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Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-1616
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Joliet
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