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(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 20, 2011 ) ANN ARBOR, MI -- A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan that found that a surprising number of car accidents occurred when both drivers were women.
Using the General Estimate System data from a nationally representative sample of police-reported crashes, the researchers found that female-to-female accidents made up close to 21 percent of all accidents, which was greater than the anticipated 16 percent they originally projected. Additionally, they found male-to-male accidents accounted for close to 32 percent of the total number of accidents, which was which was lower than projected. Finally, male-to-female crashes made up almost 48 percent of all car accidents.
Why the discrepancy? The study does not provide information regarding the difference in projects; however the researchers will not rule out any possibilities. It is hypothesized that because men drive more, women may have less experience and are less confident; thus, making it more likely that they will make a mistake while driving.
The study found that women are more likely to be involved in an accident while in an intersection. According to the study, women are t-boned on the driver's side while trying to make a left turn, or are hit on the passenger side while trying to make a right-hand turn.
Another issue could be a woman's height. Many women are much shorter than men and have difficulty seeing out the window. Unfortunately, the issue is becoming worse, not better, as many modern car designers have been creating higher “belt-lines”, the height of the door relative to where the glass window begins.
However, being shorter may not be the only problem. Some studies have shown that women have a harder time perceiving speed and time, and have more difficulty rotating 3D objects in their brains. These are skills are essential to driving safely.
However, research has shown that women use more safety equipment in vehicles and men are riskier drivers. While women may be safer drivers, it is possible that these brain deficiencies may prevent them from making safer decisions while driving, helping them avoid an auto accident.
However, many academics disagree with the findings of the University of Michigan study, stating that some of the data may be invalid.
Rather than look at data from the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)- which most safety advocates use because it is based on police-reported data from the most severe and most documented kinds of crashes, those that result in death- the researchers of this study used data from the National Household Travel Survey for its mileage counts. This surveys asks household residents to journal their travel, which could be easily manipulated. The study also looked at a sampling of data from police reports, which is not as comprehensive as the fatality database.
Plus, it doesn't mention that women are often driving with children, who can be the biggest driving distraction.
Many who are victims in a car accident seek advice from a car crash lawyer, as they may feel that they are not at fault.
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