It’s certainly said that women are safer drivers than men, but is this an old wives’ tale or something that’s grounded in fact? Discover if men make more mistakes behind the wheel, the habits that can cause accidents and the best practices for safe driving.
Accident rates by gender
The latest stats from the UK government and independent studies show that men are involved in more traffic collisions than women, suggesting that they do make more mistakes behind the wheel. In 2021, male drivers were in 21,329 fatal crashes as opposed to 6,049 accidents where women were driving. However, there is more to these findings than meets the eye.
Factors beyond gender
While there’s a clear connection between gender and car accidents, there’s an even more significant link to age.
Male car drivers aged between 17 and 24 are four times more likely to be seriously injured or killed when on the road compared to all drivers aged 25 and over. The reverse is true in older age groups: there are more female casualties in accidents involving drivers aged 55 and over.
High-risk driving habits
Many factors can contribute to a collision, some of which – such as a sudden change in weather – are impossible to predict. However, many of us are guilty of high-risk driving habits that increase the likelihood of an accident occurring:
- Speeding – going too fast means reduced reaction times and greater stopping distances and an increased chance of serious injury for drivers, passengers and potentially pedestrians.
- Tiredness – most of us have been guilty of driving tired, and as motorway signs remind us ‘tiredness can kill’. It slows our responses and there’s a danger of falling asleep at the wheel.
- Drinking – driving over the limit is illegal but there are still cases of drunk driving each year. This is one of the main reasons that crashes are more common in young male drivers.
Safe driving practices
Avoiding accidents on the road begins with the proper maintenance of your vehicle. Those who drive regularly over long distances should book an interim service at the local garage, and all car owners should go at least annually.
In terms of safe driving practices, several things can be easily implemented into your daily habits:
- Drive friendly – don’t be aggressive and tailgate, but be courteous to other drivers.
- Stay tee-total – rather than approach the alcohol limit, choose to stay tee-total when driving.
- Obey speed limits – remember that these are in place to protect you and those around you.
- Climate-conscious – watch the weather and drive more carefully in challenging conditions.
- Look and signal – be aware of your environment and make others aware of your intentions.
