Do Men or Women Get In More Car Accidents?

What do the car accident statistics say?

When we examine car accident statistics, a consistent pattern emerges¹.

Men are generally involved in a higher number of accidents and, crucially, a higher proportion of severe and fatal collisions.

• In 2021, male drivers were involved in 39,112 fatal crashes, while female drivers were involved in 12,938.
• Between 1975 and 2022, male crash deaths declined by ~6%, but female crash deaths dropped only ~1%.
• In 2020, 5.39 million male drivers were in crashes vs 3.72 million female drivers; male-involved fatal crashes comprised 75%, female 25%.

Globally, men account for 77% of road traffic deaths.

Male vs. Female

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), male drivers account for a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities.

In 2022, males constituted 71% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, compared to 29% for females².

This indicates a significant overrepresentation of men in fatal road accident statistics in the US.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) also provide valuable insights.

From 1975 to 2022, male crash deaths per billion miles traveled were consistently higher than female crash deaths.

In 2022, the male death rate was 1.90 per billion miles traveled, while the female rate was 0.76³.

This suggests that not only are men involved in more fatal crashes, but their fatality rate per mile driven is also higher.

Driving behaviors and risk factors

The disparities in accident rates aren't simply a matter of who is "better" at driving.

Instead, they relate to a confluence of behavioral patterns, risk assessment, and even the types of vehicles driven.

Risk taking

Men generally display higher levels of risk-taking behavior behind the wheel.

This manifests in several ways:

• Speed preferences: Men are more likely to engage in speeding. For example, a 2017 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that male drivers were more likely to report speeding on residential streets and freeways than female drivers. Exceeding speed limits significantly increases accident risk and severity.
• Driving under influence: Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that men are more likely than women to drive after drinking alcohol.

In 2021, men were involved in 79% of all impaired driving fatalities⁴.

• Seatbelt usage: While seatbelt use has improved overall, men are still less likely to consistently wear seatbelts than women. In 2022, male drivers and passengers had a lower seatbelt use rate (86.1%) compared to females (90.4%)⁵.

Not wearing a seatbelt dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or fatality in a crash.

• Aggressive driving: Research indicates men are more prone to engage in aggressive driving behaviors, including road rage and illegal maneuvers, which contribute to higher accident rates.

Driving habits

Driving habits also play a role. Men typically drive more miles annually than women in the US.

For example, the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) National Household Travel Survey consistently shows that men drive more vehicle miles traveled (VMT) than women.

Increased exposure to the road naturally increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

Psychological research also suggests women generally demonstrate more cautious attitudes toward driving hazards and show greater compliance with traffic regulations.

Vehicle styles, size, and choices

The types of vehicles chosen by each gender can also influence accident patterns.

Men are more likely to drive larger, more powerful vehicles, pickup trucks, and motorcycles.

These vehicle types can contribute to different accident patterns and severity.

For example, men are over-represented in single-vehicle crashes and rollovers, often associated with higher speeds and less stable vehicle types.

Emotive responses

While not as extensively documented with hard statistics, anecdotal evidence and some research suggest differences in emotive responses and patience levels while driving.

Women might exhibit more patience and rule-following behavior, potentially reducing their chances of causing an accident.

Men might be more prone to impulsive or aggressive reactions in frustrating traffic situations.

Why men cause a higher number of accidents

Several sociological, psychological, and structural factors help explain why men get into more car accidents than women.

These go beyond just raw numbers and behaviors to include deeper systemic influences:

1. Cultural norms and masculine identity

Men are often socialized to associate driving with control, dominance, and independence.

This social pressure can lead to:

• Aggressive driving to prove masculinity
• Overconfidence behind the wheel
• A tendency to downplay danger or ignore warnings

Studies show that the more drivers identify with traditional masculine traits, the more likely they are to take risks like speeding or tailgating.

2. Occupation and vehicle exposure

Men are more likely to work in driving-intensive jobs:

• Delivery drivers
• Truckers
• Construction and transport operators

This increases exposure to risk simply through more time on the road.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, nearly 94% of truck drivers are male, significantly skewing crash exposure and fatalities in high-mileage roles.

3. Vehicle ownership and performance preferences

Men disproportionately own and drive:

• Performance vehicles (muscle cars, sport bikes)
• Larger, heavier vehicles (trucks, SUVs)

These vehicles are more likely to be involved in high-speed crashes and often lack advanced driver-assist technologies, especially if older.

Men also modify vehicles more often (e.g. suspensions, engines), which can unintentionally reduce safety.

4. Greater tolerance for breaking rules

Men, especially young men, show higher risk tolerance and lower perceived likelihood of being caught or injured.

This is supported by:

• Higher rates of seatbelt non-use
• More traffic violations for reckless or distracted driving
• Greater prevalence of driving with suspended licenses

This behavioral profile is not just about immaturity, but about how male brains process risk and reward, often overestimating their control or underestimating potential consequences.

5. Peer pressure and group dynamics

Young male drivers are particularly vulnerable to showing off when peers are present.

Research shows that teenage boys driving with male passengers take more risks, accelerate faster, and brake later.

This peer-driven performance effect is rarely observed with female drivers.

6. Slower adoption of safety behaviors

Men adopt seat belts, defensive driving techniques, and vehicle safety features later than women do.

Women were more likely to wear seat belts consistently even before legislation mandated it.

Today, seatbelt non-compliance remains disproportionately higher among men.

7. Insurance data bias and underreporting

Insurance reporting tends to capture male crash data more aggressively due to:

• Higher coverage rates for male-owned vehicles
• Greater attention from law enforcement to male infractions
• More complete reporting of fatal accidents involving male drivers

This doesn't mean women don't crash, but the visibility and severity of male crashes are higher, amplifying data differences.

While biological sex is a broad differentiator, it’s the interaction of behavior, culture, exposure, and systemic norms that explains why men get into more accidents.

How to make roads safer

Improving road safety requires a multifaceted approach that addresses human behavior, vehicle design, and infrastructure.

• Speed management strategies: Implementing speed enforcement and public awareness campaigns are crucial. Drivers need to stay alert to speed limits and adjust their driving behavior accordingly.

Automated speed enforcement can also be an effective tool.

• Vision Zero approach: This strategy aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, acknowledging that human errors will occur. It focuses on designing roads to reduce crash risk and injury severity through safer road design, lower speed limits, and improved vehicle technology.
• Education and training: Education for children and adolescents on safe driving principles, targeted interventions for young male drivers, and thorough testing of new drivers are vital.

This includes promoting defensive driving techniques and awareness of impaired driving risks.

• Enforcement: Adopting reasonable and enforceable traffic laws, focusing enforcement efforts on high-risk offenses and locations (such as impaired driving and aggressive driving), and utilizing data to identify accident hotspots helps prevent accidents.
• Vehicle engineering: Regular vehicle maintenance, improving vehicle design for better vision and control, and enhancing safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring contribute to accident reduction.
• Road design: Designing new roads that are inherently safe, improving existing roads by realignment, resurfacing, and adding features like rumble strips and proper signage enhances safety.

Separating different modes of transportation, such as adding protected bike lanes, also contributes to overall road safety.

Understanding the gender gap in car accidents

The data leaves little ambiguity: men are statistically more likely to be involved in car accidents, particularly fatal ones, than women.

This isn’t just a result of more miles driven.

It reflects a complex mix of behavioral tendencies, societal expectations, occupational exposure, and risk tolerance.

Men are more likely to speed, drive under the influence, skip seatbelts, and choose higher-performance vehicles.

All of which significantly increase crash risk.

While women are not immune to accidents, their driving behavior tends to be more cautious, measured, and compliance driven.

These patterns hold across different age groups, vehicle types, and road conditions.

Understanding the why behind these trends isn’t about assigning blame. It’s about designing smarter policy, safer vehicles, and more effective driver education.

If we want to reduce accident rates across the board, we must confront the deeper psychological and cultural factors influencing how people drive, especially young men.

If you have been involved in an accident, the Mighty.com AI claims service is ready to assist. If you're looking for a lawyer for a car accident, check out our directory.

Gender and car accident FAQs

Who gets into more car accidents?

Statistics consistently show that male drivers are involved in more car accidents overall, and disproportionately in fatal and serious collisions in the United States.

Who drives more?

In the US, men generally drive more vehicle miles traveled (VMT) annually than women. This increased exposure contributes to their higher accident involvement.

Who gets in deadlier accidents?

Men are significantly more likely to be involved in deadlier accidents. In 2022, males constituted 71% of all traffic fatalities in the US, according to NHTSA data. This highlights a clear gender disparity in the severity of accident outcomes.

Who gets more traffic tickets?

While comprehensive national data varies, studies and anecdotal evidence from law enforcement agencies generally indicate that men receive more traffic tickets for violations such as speeding, reckless driving, and impaired driving.

Who gets more DUIs?

Men are significantly more likely to receive DUIs. According to the CDC, men are involved in a much higher percentage of alcohol-impaired driving crashes and fatalities than women.

Who causes more accidents?

Based on the prevalence of risk-taking behaviors, higher mileage, and overrepresentation in severe and fatal crashes, male drivers cause a higher number of accidents in the United States.

Is age a factor in car accidents?

Yes, age is a significant factor in car accidents. Young male drivers, particularly those aged 16-25, are notably over-represented in accident statistics due to inexperience and a higher propensity for risky behaviors (IIHS, Fatality Facts 2022: Teenagers). Conversely, while older drivers (especially those over 70) are involved in fewer overall accidents, their accident rate per mile driven can increase significantly with age due to age-related declines in vision, cognitive function, and physical abilities.

Sources

1. Terry Law Firm : Who Causes More Car Accidents, Male or Female Drivers - https://www.terry-lawfirm.com/blog/more-accidents-men-women/
2. NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts : 2022 Overview : https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813582.pdf
3. IIHS, Fatality Facts 2022: Gender - https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/males-and-females
4. NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts: Alcohol-Impaired Driving 2021 - https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
5. NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts: Seat Belt Use 2022 - https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813407.pdf