Female drivers are often able to access lower premiums because, historically, they are less likely to cause accidents than their male counterparts. This discrepancy between genders seems to be widening, and over the last ten years, the difference between the number of accidents involving a pedestrian and a male driver has significantly increased compared to accidents with a pedestrian versus a female driver.
A Guardian Study
An 18-month period was studied from January 2020 to June 2021. During that time, 1473 females were involved in a collision with a pedestrian; for males that number was 4363. Statistically, this translates to 2.8 serious collisions in every 10 million journeys for men and 1.04 serious collisions for women drivers. A comparable survey in 2002 showed that men were responsible for 2.2 incidents in every 10 million journeys, so the number has significantly increased. This data was obtained on both occasions by the Guardian newspaper. There are a number of accidents versus pedestrians where the gender of the driver was not available for public record.
Numbers Down in the Pandemic
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the data could be less accurate because, overall, there were fewer collisions during the pandemic and lockdown. This is because fewer motorists were on the roads, and people were restricted to their houses. However, the studies suggest that 33% of serious collisions or crashes where a pedestrian is involved and suffers either serious injuries or sadly passes away are caused by men. Women drivers account for 28% of these types of incidents.
Deaths Unevenly Weighted
Sadly, deaths from road collisions are also weighted towards male drivers. 78% of drivers who passed away due to a road collision last year were male, according to data provided by the department of transport. It is more likely that fatalities on the roads after a crash occur if one is struck by a truck, bus or van and not a motorbike or car. More statistics offered by Brake, which is a road safety charity, suggest that compared to their female counterparts, male drivers are three times more likely to exceed speed limits. Only 9% of women were prepared to admit that they drove at over 100 mph, whereas 30% of men were happy to confess that they did.
Take Care on the Roads
“We’ve found in previous research that males are more likely to risk-take, for example, by speeding. We know that across the piece, offending in society that involves violent behaviours and behaviours that can hurt other people is often more men than women. When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are in charge of a killing machine.” Said the CEO of break, Mary Williams. This is further followed up by the RAC, who are pleading with drivers to stay safe and be aware of their surroundings at all times and this, of course, means sticking to the speed limits as displayed on every type of road you drive on.