A new study published recently has reported that women are injured more often than men are when they’re behind the wheel of a car, according to news sources.
The study, published in the most recent edition of the American Public Health Association journal, links the higher frequency not to more accidents, but rather the safety features of the car being created for people of a certain size, more likely to be male.
The information was pulled from national numbers from 1998-2008. Forty-three percent of the crashes analyzed had a female driver.
The study found “a higher risk of lower extreme injuries reported for female drivers as a result of their relatively short stature, preferred seating posture and a combination of these factors yielding lower safety protection from the standard restraint devices.”
The research led those who conducted it to find that women who are wearing a seatbelt in a crash are almost 50% more likely to be injured than males wearing one.
As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, I recommend that drivers pick cars with their size in mind. Studies have shown that some cars are safer for those of short stature. I also recommend sitting the advised distance from the air bag – you should be at least ten inches away. If you or someone you love is in a crash and feel it was the fault of another party, I advise you to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer right away.