Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 21, 1992 TAG: 9201210115
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
TRAFFIC DEATH RATE UP FOR WOMEN
The number of women dying in traffic accidents nationwide is increasing dramatically compared with men, according to a panel of safety specialists.From 1975 to 1990, the number of women drivers killed in traffic accidents rose by about 60 percent, while the number of men drivers killed dropped by about 10 percent, Mark Edwards, of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told the annual conference of the Transportation Research Board last week.
The board advises the federal government on transportation issues.
At the same time, Edwards said, the total number of people killed in traffic accidents is expected to drop below 40,000 this year, the lowest level since the mid-1950s.
Women are the only group for whom the death rate is increasing, said Edwards.
He said specialists are not sure what is causing the trend.
"Something has changed. I wish I knew what it was," Edwards said. Without a clear understanding of the reasons for the increase, he said, "We don't know what to do" to curb the trend.
Panel members cited several possible explanations. Women are under more stress from jobs and families, a University of North Carolina researcher said, and are drinking and driving more often. Both stress and driving under the influence of alcohol contribute to accidents, studies have long shown. The increase in traffic deaths is highest among women younger than 35; girls ages 16 and 17 face the greatest risk of being killed.
One explanation for the increase in women driver deaths is that more women are working and using their cars. But the officials said the rise in driver's licenses issued to women and the increase in miles driven by women account for only half the rise in traffic deaths.
Edwards said most drivers are killed alone in their vehicles - a result of drinking or reckless driving - but women drivers are being killed more often in accidents involving more than one vehicle.
Although women make up about half of the drivers in the country, more men drivers still are being killed than women drivers. But the increase in traffic deaths among women is beginning to get the attention of safety officials and researchers.
The trend also could have implications for insurance rates, which are based in part on a driver's risk of being killed in an accident. Some insurance companies say they have raised premiums for women drivers. Interest groups such as the National Organization for Women have complained about the higher rates.
In Virginia, the number of women killed in traffic accidents went up by 29 percent from 1975 to 1990, according to safety agency figures.
In Maryland and the District of Columbia, the number of women killed in traffic accidents dropped slightly during the 15-year period.
The number of men killed in accidents increased slightly in Virginia and Maryland during the period but went down in the district.
Keywords:
FATALITY