Car accidents are a major cause of injury and death across all demographics. However, some groups are more likely to be involved in crashes than others. Understanding which demographics are most at risk can help inform traffic safety initiatives and policies aimed at reducing accidents.
Age
Age is one of the biggest factors in car accident rates. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers aged 16-19 are involved in more accidents than any other age group, with teenage drivers 3 times more likely than drivers aged 20 and over to be in a fatal crash.
| Age | Fatal Crashes Per 100,000 Licensed Drivers |
|---|---|
| 16-19 | 14.3 |
| 20-24 | 11.9 |
| 25-34 | 9.3 |
| 35-54 | 7.6 |
| 55-64 | 7.9 |
| 65-74 | 8.1 |
| 75+ | 11.4 |
As the table shows, fatal crash rates start high for teens, decline through middle age, then increase again for senior drivers aged 75 and up. The high accident rate among teen drivers is attributed to factors like inexperience, risk taking behavior, and distracted driving.
Gender
Historically, men have accounted for a disproportionate share of fatal crashes compared to women. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that over the 5-year period from 2015-2019, there were around 3 male driver fatalities for every 1 female driver fatality in the United States. However, the gap has been narrowing in recent years as male fatality rates have declined while female rates have increased slightly.
| Gender | Driver Fatalities Per 100 Million Miles Driven |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.64 |
| Female | 0.60 |
Reasons for the higher crash rates among male drivers include higher rates of drunk driving, failure to use seat belts, speeding, and aggressive driving behaviors. However, improvements in vehicle safety and stronger DUI laws have helped lower male fatality rates over time.
Inexperience
Lack of driving experience is a major factor in accidents for teenage drivers as well as other newly licensed drivers. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers aged 16-17 are 3 times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash than those aged 18-19. For older new drivers, those aged 30-59 who had held their license less than 1 year had a fatal crash rate more than 4 times higher than drivers who had held their license for 1 year or more.
| Driver Age | Fatal Crash Rate Per 10,000 Licensed Drivers (Newly Licensed vs. Experienced) |
|---|---|
| 16-17 | 14.6 vs. 4.4 |
| 18-19 | 9.1 vs. 3.8 |
| 30-59 | 6.5 vs. 1.5 |
Graduated driver licensing programs, additional driver training requirements, and tighter restrictions and supervision of newly licensed drivers can help address the risks from inexperience behind the wheel.
Impaired Driving
Drunk driving remains a major factor in fatal crashes, with around 1 in 3 traffic deaths involving an alcohol-impaired driver. According to NHTSA data, 29% of drivers aged 21-24 who were involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 g/dL or higher. The rate was also high for drivers aged 25-34 at 27%.
For drivers aged 34 and under, over 50% of those killed in crashes after drinking had BACs at least twice the legal limit of .08 g/dL. These alarming statistics reveal the dangers of excessive drinking combined with driving.
| Driver Age | Percent of Fatally Injured Drivers With BAC >= .08 g/dL |
|---|---|
| 16-20 | 17% |
| 21-24 | 29% |
| 25-34 | 27% |
| 35+ | 25% |
Strict drunk driving laws, alcohol screening and addiction treatment programs, license suspensions and interlock devices for offenders, and education campaigns on the dangers of impaired driving all play a role in reducing drunk driving crashes.
Distracted Driving
Driver distraction is another major contributing factor in accidents, especially for younger demographics. According to NHTSA, 9% of fatal crashes involved distracted drivers, with drivers under 20 having the highest rate of distraction at 10%.
Cell phone use while driving is a significant distraction, particularly for younger drivers. One survey found that close to 40% of drivers aged 19-24 reported texting while driving at least once in the past month, compared to just 12% of drivers aged 40-59.
| Driver Age | Percent Reporting Texting While Driving in Past Month |
|---|---|
| 16-18 | 32% |
| 19-24 | 38% |
| 25-39 | 30% |
| 40-59 | 12% |
Laws prohibiting cell phone use and texting while driving, along with enforcement and education on the hazards of distracted driving, are key to reducing these crashes.
Urban vs. Rural
Population density also impacts car crash risks. While there are more total fatal crashes in urban areas, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is actually far higher in rural areas at 2.21 vs. 0.77 in urban areas according to IIHS data.
Higher speeds, alcohol impairment, lack of seatbelt use, and longer response times for emergency medical services all contribute to more deaths from rural car crashes. Urban areas see more crashes at lower speeds with less severity.
Socioeconomic Factors
Income level and education are also associated with crash risks. People with lower household income and education levels have higher rates of fatal crashes per population and per miles driven according to research by IIHS. Lack of access to newer, safer vehicles and differences in driving proficiency may contribute to higher fatality rates.
Conclusion
While car crashes can happen to anyone, data shows certain demographics are at heightened risk. Teen drivers and other young adults under 25, males, newly licensed drivers, intoxicated drivers, distracted drivers, rural populations, and those with lower socioeconomic status are all overrepresented in fatal crashes compared to other groups. Targeted interventions that take into account why these groups are at increased risk can help reduce the number of severe crashes and make the roads safer for all users.
