Female compared with male fatality risk from similar physical impacts.

OBJECTIVE If a female and a male suffer similar potentially lethal physical impacts, which of them (other factors being equal) is more likely to die? This question is addressed using 245,836 traffic fatalities. METHODS Fatality risk ratios were estimated using crash data for cars, light trucks, and motorcycles with two occupants, at least one being killed. Combinations of seat belt use, helmet use, and seating location led to 14 occupant categories. RESULTS Relationships between fatality risk and gender are similar for all 14 occupant categories. Female fatality risk exceeds male risk from preteens to late 50s. For ages from about 20 to about 35, female risk exceeds male risk by (28 +/- 3)%. CONCLUSION Whereas specific injury mechanisms differ greatly between the 14 occupant categories, the effect of gender on fatality risk does not, thus implying that the relationships reflect fundamental gender-dependent differences.

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