Dispelling the Myths about Who the “Best” Drivers Are

Most people think they’re pretty good drivers. Certainly no one likes to admit they’re bad at it. As it turns out, the statistical likelihood of getting into a serious accident varies based on age, gender, career, and other factors, according to the Safety Resource Center. The SRC’s analyses of who’s “better” on the road are based on various data sources including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). Here is what they found.

Teenagers more likely to be in an accident than seniors

Even though senior reflexes slow with age, and their hearing and vision are worsening, the data confirms that teenage drivers pose more of a danger to themselves and other drivers than the elderly. IIHS data confirms that drivers between 16 and 19 are three times more likely to get into a vehicle accident than drivers 20 and older. The Census data shows that 7.5% of seniors over 65 cause traffic accidents as compared to 12.1% of teenagers.

As a result, all of the states, including Tennessee, have implemented a graduated driver’s license (GDL) program to address the novice driver risk. Licenses are divided into a learner’s permit, a restricted intermediate license, and an unrestricted intermediate license. There is an age, road experience, road skills, and documentation requirement for each level, to help ensure that younger drivers stay safe and to ensure that all other drivers do as well.

Men are statistically worse drivers than women

Surely you have heard someone joke about how bad women are at driving. It’s time to set the record straight once and for all. Data from the NHTSA shows that women cause 4.5 million car accidents yearly, while men cause 6.1 million accidents yearly. In fairness, men drive many more miles each year: 16,550 miles for men compared to 10,142 for women according to the FHA. When the data is pro-rated for the number of accidents per mile driven, men and women are fairly even in the number of accidents they cause.

Drivers vs. Bicyclists

The data shows that drivers and bicyclists have about the same statistical risk of being responsible for a traffic accident. About two thirds of bicycle accidents don’t involve a car. Riders can fall off their bicycle due to poor roads or by being attacked by a dog. Many bicycle accidents could be avoided with better planning – specifically with bike lanes and roads designed for bicycle operators, more visible road signs, and better education about the rules of the road. Generally in Tennessee, bicycle riders have many of the same rights as motorized vehicle operators do.

Additional risk factors

The Safety Resource Center reported some interesting accident findings based on other personal factors. Insurance companies try, when legal, to adjust premium rates as follows:

• Stockbrokers are charged more than scientists. The thought is that stockbrokers are likely to take more risks.
• Urban dwellers are charged higher premiums than rural drivers. Even though rural roads tend to be in poorer condition, and the speed limits higher, 80% of reported traffic accidents are in urban locations.
• More for GEDs than PhDs. The more advanced your degree, the less insurance companies would like to charge you.
• More for singles than couples. Insurance companies favor married drivers more than single drivers.

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our car accident lawyers handle all types of car accidents. We have the experience and resources to determine how the accident happened and who is at fault. Our Memphis injury attorneys fight to get you full compensation for you pain and suffering, medical expense, lost wages, and other relevant damages. To make an appointment now, please call us at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form. We have offices in Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. We see clients in those locations and the surrounding areas.