April 2, 2012
According to the University of Virginia Center for Applied Biomechanics, women are more likely to be injured in car accidents than men. The study, reported by The Birmingham News, found that female drivers were 47 percent more likely to suffer serious injuries than men in collisions.
The findings were attributed to physical differences in men and women as well as the way vehicles are designed.
The discovery was made when researchers examined the crash test dummies used by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). They found that the dummies used since 1978 didn’t match up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard for the average size of an American. Since 2003, different sized test dummies have been utilized to determine the effects crashes have on different sized bodies. Researchers concluded that the smaller the body, the less force it could withstand in an accident.
With the NHTSA recognizing that women account for more than one quarter of all drivers killed in car accidents, they will now be utilizing new dummies closer to the average size of a woman.
The Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyers with Lowell “ The Hammer” Stanley say that the best way to stay safe in the car is to buckle up, slow down, and drive defensively. Following these simple tips will increase your chances of survival and reduce your chances of injury if you’re involved in a crash.
