Car Accident Demographics: Who is Most at Risk?
Why does it matter what age a person is when they are involved in an auto accident? What difference does it make if that person is black, white, or any other ethnicity? These specific issues are known as demographics, and they very definitely matter to organizations like insurance companies. Let’s delve into these demographics a little.
Car Accident Statistic Studies
Studies have been conducted over the years to help determine if race, ethnicity, age, gender, and such play a role in the number of traffic accidents that occur. In this discourse, certain terms will come into play, like FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) and also BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). Both of these terms are used frequently in reports issued by entities such as GHSA (Governors Highway Safety Association) and SHSO (State Highway Safety Offices). No bias nor discrimination is involved in their analysis of cut-and-dried statistics.
The GHSA, tasked with addressing impaired driving, speeding, and behavioral safety issues connected with traffic crashes, conducted an analysis of fatality data for the years between 2015 and 2019. The following information is not an exhaustive, complete literature review, but rather gives a short summary of some key research findings.
Who is Most at Risk?
Using reports generated by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it was discovered that both males and females among the Alaskan Native/American Indian population have the highest number of annual vehicle-related pedestrian deaths of any race or ethnicity. Concerning alcohol-related auto fatalities, the Native American population had the largest percentage of fatalities in which alcohol use by the driver was involved. Data also shows that black Americans are 73% more likely to be in a fatal car accidentthan white Americans.
A studies found that white males from age 21 through age 25 are in the age range that is more likely, on a national scale, to be involved in a car crash. In 2021, the total figure in this age group was 3,036. Within the same year, 21,329 national fatality crashes involved male drivers of any age while 6,049 fatality accidents involved a female driver.
A demographic for the average weight and height of a driver at the moment of impact is even available. Collected data has determined that the average height for a man is 5’ 10” and average weight is 196 pounds. For women, these figures are 5’ 4” and 162 pounds. This information comes from the same Neufeld study.
Preventing Car Accidents
While the risk of serious injuries and death affects all people on the road, some groups are more likely to suffer devastating consequences. Avoiding distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding can reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. These are some simple steps we can all take to make our roads safer for eneryone.
