The debate over whether women or men cause more car accidents has been a common discussion for generations. While some argue that women have better multitasking abilities and practice more cautious driving when behind the wheel, others argue that men exhibit better spatial awareness and reflexes, making them more adept drivers. Despite the ongoing dispute, many acknowledge that individual driving abilities aren’t necessarily linked to gender, recognizing that safe and responsible driving is ultimately determined by each individual’s driving abilities and safe driving practices.
However, the statistics indisputably show that one gender is involved in more car accidents every year. While we at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk are not biased based on gender, we do understand that it’s important to be aware of men vs women driving statistics in order to enact change and create awareness around the importance of safe driving practices.
Male vs Female Driving Statistics
There are statistical disparities that highlight distinct trends in driving behavior and outcomes between male and female drivers. According to statistical data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), male drivers were involved in a significantly higher number of passenger vehicle deaths compared to their female counterparts in 2021. There were 14,498 male passenger vehicle deaths in 2021 while there were only 5,735 female passenger vehicle deaths. This contrast can be attributed to several reasons, including:
- The tendency for men to engage in riskier driving practices, such as:
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Not using seat belts
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Men tend to drive more miles every year than women. The Federal Highway Administration, reports that men drive 16,550 miles per year while women tend to drive around 10,142 miles annually. This means women drive 30% fewer miles every year than men, and men are therefore more at risk of being in a car accident because they are on the road more.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that while there were 5.39 million male drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes, there were only 3.72 million female drivers involved in car accidents in 2020. The difference between the number of male and females involved in car accidents is particularly evident in fatal accidents, where male drivers were involved in 75% of the accidents, while female drivers accounted for just 25%.
Similarly, these gender disparities also extend to crashes resulting in injuries. This suggests a discrepancy in the severity of accidents between genders, with crashes involving male drivers often resulting in more severe and fatal outcomes. While women do cause accidents, they are typically less severe, according to research by the University of Michigan. Their research found that female drivers tend to be involved in more minor accidents, which often result in no injuries, such as fender benders.
Read more about common causes of car accidents in this discussion.
Why Do Men Pay More For Car Insurance?
Young men typically have to pay higher car insurance premiums compared to young women due to statistical data that indicates that they pose a higher risk on the road. This is especially true for younger years. Due to the statistics, insurance providers often view young men as riskier drivers due to factors such as a tendency to engage in more dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding and reckless driving. Consequently, insurance companies will raise their premiums accordingly to mitigate the perceived higher risk when providing auto insurance to younger men.
Who Causes The Most Accidents?
While people tend to debate over whether men or women cause more car accidents, the truth is that specific age groups contribute more significantly to accident rates, rather than overall genders. Research consistently shows that certain age groups, such as young or senior drivers, exhibit higher accident rates compared to others.
The Florida Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) data from 2020 reveals a clear pattern. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 39 were involved in more collisions than both seniors and teens combined. These statistics indicate a correlation between age and accident involvement. One presumed explanation for this trend is that drivers in this age group spend more time driving on Florida roadways. While the FLHSMV doesn’t specifically track and record data about collisions per mile driven for each age group, experts state that increased time spent on the road is typically related to a being more at risk of being involved in an accident. Learn more about Florida car accident statistics.
Injured In A Florida Car Accident?
Regardless of who causes an accident, or who is the better driver, our team of Florida car accident attorneys near you, at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is dedicated to helping you to pursue compensation for your injuries. We understand the complexities of personal injury cases, as well as how life-changing car accident injuries can become. Therefore, we are committed to advocating for your rights, helping you find the best medical care, and seeking the compensation you deserve. Contact us, and our experienced team of Florida personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly to help you through the legal process and help you receive the best possible outcome for your case.
If you were injured near Jupiter, FL, contact our office to speak to a personal injury attorney in Jupiter today.