Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | November 7, 2024 | Car Accidents
It’s an age-old question: are men or women better drivers? More importantly, do males or females get in more car accidents? Some people think that men have more experience driving and better spatial awareness. Others counter that women have better multi-tasking skills and drive more cautiously.
The truth is that either gender can be involved in a car accident that seriously injures or kills another motorist. However, the numbers show conclusively which gender is associated with the highest number of crashes – and potentially who you should be wary of when driving on the open road. Below, we dive into these male vs. female driving statistics.
Men Vs. Women Driving Statistics
While the debate over who are better drivers between men and women can rage on, the statistics show that men are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents than women. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, male drivers are involved in a significantly higher number of motor vehicle deaths than their female counterparts. 30,669 men were killed in traffic fatalities in 2022, compared to 11,737 women killed in motor vehicle accidents the same year.
There are a few potential reasons why men may be behind more motor vehicle accidents than women. For one, they drive more miles on average than women. The Federal Highway Administration reports that men drive an average of 16,550 miles per year, compared to women’s 10,142 annual miles.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also reports that men are more likely to engage in riskier driving behaviors, such as drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, and not wearing seatbelts. These driving practices are common causes of road crashes.
Additionally, when men are involved in crashes, they tend to be more severe.
Men Vs. Women’s Car Insurance Rates
Historically, men have paid more for car insurance than women due to the statistical inferences mentioned above. However, women now pay $1,480 annually for auto insurance, compared to men’s $1,470 annual rate. Yet, young male drivers pay significantly more for car insurance than female drivers. On average, male drivers under the age of 20 pay 14% more for auto insurance than female drivers of the same age. These discrepancies account for males often being considered riskier drivers than females.
What Other Factors Contribute to Crashes?
While a person’s sex is related to their crash likeliness, so are other factors. Specific age groups have significantly higher accident rates, which more directly correlates to crash likeliness than gender.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, drivers between the ages of 20 and 39 are involved in more collisions than drivers of any other age group. In 2022, these drivers were involved in 202,370 of the 397,620 crashes reported to police.
Other factors can also contribute to crashes, including a driver’s:
- Experience level
- Health
- Sleep patterns
- Intake of drugs or alcohol
- Stress
- Ability to focus solely on the task of driving
These individual factors can have a tremendous impact on a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case
Whether a man or woman was responsible for your crash, you should speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options. They can help you pursue a personal injury claim for compensation.
Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County, St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Port St. Lucie
1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 247-3374
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Palm Beach Gardens
300 Avenue of the Champions Ste 220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 944-4000
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