Vias: ‘Eight out of ten traffic fatalities are men’

Eighty percent of road deaths in Belgium are men, and injury accidents involving men are, on average, twice as severe as accidents involving women. This is mainly because men take more risks in traffic. These are some conclusions from a new statistical analysis by traffic safety institute Vias.

Eighty percent of road deaths in Belgium are men, and that percentage has even increased slightly in recent years because ten years ago, it was 77%. Among motorcyclists, 96% of road deaths are men, 75% among motorists, 74% among cyclists, and 56% among pedestrians.

Accident statistics

However, men represent ‘only’ 59% of all traffic victims on our roads. This means that they are mainly involved in more serious accidents. Figures from the past ten years indicate that there are nine deaths per 1,000 injury crashes involving a woman at the wheel, compared to 18 per 1,000 involving a male driver.

According to Vias, male overrepresentation in accident statistics can largely be explained by risk behavior. There is often an aggravating factor like having used alcohol, not wearing a seat belt, driving without insurance, etc.

‘Behavioral patterns’

Vias’s behavioral measurements have also shown in the past that men tend more often to drive too fast, to be more distracted behind the wheel by using their mobile phones, and to wear their seat belts slightly less often.

“From an early age, boys are encouraged to take risks and show that they are in control, while girls are socialized to be more careful and follow the rules,” explains Shirley Delannoy, researcher at Vias. “These patterns are reflected in driving.”

‘Women are safer drivers’

Vias concludes that women are generally more careful, more responsible, and more respectful of other road users. As a result, women are less likely to be involved in serious accidents than men because they take fewer risks. Men, on the other hand, tend to overestimate their abilities and engage in more risky behavior, especially when it comes to speeding and drinking.