Female Drivers More Likely to Be Injured in Car Crashes Than Male Drivers

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) found
women drivers are injured more frequently in car accidents than male drivers.
The study, which relied on national traffic accident statistics from 1998 to
2008, found injuries do not occur because women are involved in more car
accidents than men, but because cars may not provide women with adequate
protection in the event of a crash. Researchers discovered that women were
put at much greater risk for serous injury due to female drivers’ shorter stature
and preferred seating position. Oftentimes, a combination of these two factors
affected protection from standard safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags.
According to the AJPH study, belt-restrained female drivers were 47 percent
more likely to sustain a serious injury in a crash than male drivers.

How can women protect themselves from being seriously injured in a car
accident? Prevention is always key when protecting you and others from
accident-related injuries. Thousands of car collisions are caused by drivers who
could have prevented a crash if they followed a few simple guidelines: don’t
text while driving, don’t talk on the cell phone while driving and don’t drive tired.
Every driver, not just women, should avoid any distraction that takes his or her
concentration or eyesight off the road. Despite a person’s best efforts, some
accidents cannot be prevented. Here are a few tips women can follow to avoid
injury in a car crash:

Find a car that “fits” you. Although it may seem as though most cars are
designed for a wide range of physiques, many vehicles don’t accommodate
shorter drivers. Consumer Reports tested numerous vehicles for seat comfort,
driving position, accessibility and the ability to see. Some vehicles, such as
the Acura MDX, BMW 750Li and Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL, were better suited for
smaller physiques.

Make sure you are seated far enough away from the airbag. The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety recommends drivers sit at least ten inches away
from the center of the steering wheel. Most new vehicles are fitted with airbags
that take into account seating position, but older models may require a pedal
extender.

Adjust your seat belt for a snug and secure fit. Make sure the seat belt is not
twisted before strapping the shoulder belt snuggly across your chest. You should
never tuck the shoulder belt behind your back; doing so can reduce the belt’s
effectiveness. Purchase a seat belt positioning device if needed.

For more information on which vehicle may be better suited for you, read
Consumer Reports’ article: The tall and short of it. To learn how to properly use a
seatbelt, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

My experience as a northern California car accident lawyer has made me aware
of the pain and suffering associated with a serious car accident related injury. I
encourage all drivers to learn how to properly fit a seat belt and to find a vehicle
that offers them adequate protection in the event of a crash.