Who Has More Car Accidents: Males or Females?

There are more male fatalities than women in motor vehicle crashes. Usually, men drive more miles than women and engage in riskier driving habits, like failure to wear seat belts, impaired driving, or speeding.

In 2021, males accounted for 72 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths and 97 percent of large truck deaths. In addition, the rate of passenger occupant deaths per 100,000 people was consistently higher in males than females in all age groups.

No matter which gender a driver is, they should be responsible for injuries when they cause an accident. If you have suffered injuries, consult with a trusted car accident attorney in San Francisco, CA, to learn about your legal rights and options.

Why Men Cause More Car Accidents

Speeding

Speeding is a significant cause of traffic fatalities and severe accidents. In 2021, speeding killed 12,330 people and contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in that year. In addition to exceeding specific speed limits, speeding involves driving too fast for road conditions, such as bad weather, poorly lit areas, or when a road is under repair.

The consequences of overspeeding include:

• Greater likelihood of losing vehicle control
• Increased likelihood of accidents leading to severe injuries and physical damage
• Increased stopping distance for a driver to safely navigate a road hazard

In 2021, 6,607 drivers were coded as speeding in fatal crash involvements compared to 1,887 female drivers. The proportion of female drivers involved in speeding accidents is much smaller in males in all age groups.

In addition, at least 31% of male drivers in age groups 15-24 were most likely speeding at the time of a fatal crash.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol or any other drug impairs the ability to drive safely. Alcohol impairs safe driving skills, such as coordination, good judgment, and quick reaction to the environment. The law classifies a driver as alcohol-impaired when their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.

Here are the key findings of alcohol-impaired car accidents:

• In 2021, there were 13,384 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes where at least one driver was alcohol-impaired. 

• In 2021, there were about four alcohol-impaired male drivers for every one alcohol-impaired female driver. 

• In 2020, 22% of male drivers involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired compared to 16% of female drivers who were alcohol-impaired at the time of a collision.

Distracted Driving

Anything that takes away a driver’s attention is a source of distraction. 

Here are the three main types of distractions:

• Cognitive, which involves taking your mind off the road
• A manual distraction that involves taking your hands off the wheel
• A visual distraction occurs when you take your eyes off the road

The common types of distracted driving include texting, grooming, eating or drinking, adjusting the car stereo, operating the GPS, or talking on the cellphone.

In 2019, there were 3,100 fatalities and 424,000 injuries in crashes involving a distracted driver. 

Distracted driving causes various types of accidents, including head-on, rear-end, and side-impact collisions, with victims sustaining minor to severe accidents. 

Here are the common injuries associated with distracted driving:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Neck and back injuries
• Facial lacerations
• Abdominal injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Head and brain injuries
• Broken limbs

Get Legal Help From an Experienced San Francisco Car Accident Attorney

Suppose you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. In that case, you may endure a worsened life because of pain and suffering, hefty medical bills, loss of companionship, and lost income.

You, therefore, deserve representation from a legal professional like Cartwright Law Firm, with over 60 years of experience. Contact us online for a free case review.