Understanding Male vs. Female Driving Statistics in Washington, DC

Gender-Based Driving Statistics: Unveiling Road Safety Trends

Gender-based driving statistics refer to the data that highlights differences in driving behaviors, patterns, and safety outcomes between male and female drivers. These statistics provide insights into various aspects of driving, including accident rates, traffic violations, and adherence to road safety measures, helping to shape targeted policies and interventions.

 

Licensed Drivers Statistics

In 2021, the US had around 233 million licensed drivers, with over half of them being female. In Washington, DC, which houses approximately 5,869,509 licensed drivers, 51% are men and 49% are women.

 

Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission report shows that traffic fatalities in 2020 increased by 6.7% and 15.5% in 2021. In 2021, men accounted for 72% of all motor vehicle crash deaths. These rates show that the male death rate is almost twice as high as that of females. Additionally, these rates were consistently higher for men across various categories, such as:

• Passenger vehicle driver deaths were 72%

• Passenger vehicle passenger deaths were 48%

• Large truck driver deaths were 97%

• Large truck passenger deaths were 67%

• Pedestrian deaths 70%

• Motorcyclist deaths: 92%

• Bicyclist deaths 86%

 

Speeding Statistics

Speed contributes significantly to fatal accidents, particularly among male drivers. The data highlights a prevalence of male involvement in fatal crashes, with the percentage of speeding-related accidents consistently higher for men across all age groups.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is the number one factor in fatal highway crashes. Drivers under the age of twenty stand out as the group most affected by speed-related fatalities. Men account for 32% of fatal crashes, while women account for 22%.

 

Age Difference Statistics

According to a study conducted from 2016 to 2017 by the National Household Travel Survey, young males aged 16 to 29 had notably higher fatality rates compared to females in the same age range. While both genders experienced lower fatality rates as they got older (age 30 and above), the gender difference was more pronounced among drivers aged 20 to 29.

In 2021, every age group had a higher rate of male passenger vehicle occupant deaths than females. Male passenger vehicle occupants about 85 and older had the greatest fatality rate. Passenger vehicle occupants, both male and female, aged 0-15 years, had the lowest fatality rates.

 

DUI or Impaired Driving Statistics

Between 2017 and 2021, the District of Columbia registered over 47 alcohol-impaired fatalities. These represent about 30% of all traffic fatalities. Additionally, 562 alcohol-impaired-related injuries accounted for 4. 4% of all injuries. 

In the US, at least 4 out of 5 drunk driving accidents involve men. At DC DUI checkpoints, more men register blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08%. Men under 34 years old usually account for 32% of those DUI.

While there is no recent gender-specific statistic for DUI arrests in DC, based on data from the FBI in 2019, about 81% of individuals arrested for drunk driving nationwide were men, while women made up only 19% of those arrests.