Women in Texas and throughout the country have been shown to have a higher risk of injuries from car accidents. Studies have revealed that crash test dummies have a lot to do with it. Here is what the data says.
Injury risks to women drivers and passengers
According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), women are 73% more likely to suffer serious injuries from car accidents than men. Most of those injuries are more likely to affect the lower body such as the hips and legs.
Why women are more susceptible to injuries
The IIHS has reported that crash test dummies are modeled after the average man’s body, which is taller and heavier than the average woman. Although today’s vehicles are equipped with safety features like automatic emergency braking, some of them don’t always protect smaller drivers or passengers. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration performed studies that show that women wearing their seat belts in a front seat are 17% more likely to be killed in a crash than a man.
In addition to the discrepancy with crash test dummies, women are also at greater risk of injuries in accidents due to the vehicles they choose. Women often select smaller, compact cars that are lighter in weight. By contrast, men often choose larger, heavier vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks, which give more protection against crashes.
Because of the cars that women often choose, they can suffer serious lower body injuries if involved in a rear-end collision or a T-bone accident.
The issue of crash test dummies is significant. It’s fair to question why there are no female crash test dummies. The traditional ones have been shown to reduce car accident injuries. Female crash test dummies are also much smaller than the average woman.