A new study has found woman involved in vehicle crashes are safer in newer cars but still not as safe as men.
The report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the overall gap drops from 18 per cent to 6.3 per cent for 2010-2020 vehicles and to 2.9 per cent for 2015-20 vehicles.
The study also found that the estimated difference in fatality risk estimates for female versus male front row occupants is 6.3 per cent for model year 2010-2020 vehicles, which is significantly reduced compared to 18.3 per cent for model year 1960-2009 vehicles.
The estimated difference is further reduced to 2.9 per cent for the latest model year vehicles (2015-2020).
Newer generations of cars equipped with dual air bags reduce the estimated fatality risk for women compared to men.
The study also found when passenger and drivers use the most advanced seat belts, also found in newer vehicles, the estimated fatality risk for women relative to men drops to 6.1 per cent.
“While NHTSA’s new report shows significant declines in differences in crash outcomes between women and men, there is more work required to eliminate any disparities that remain,” said Dr Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s Administrator.
