Sex Differences in the Amount and Patterns of Car-Driving Exposure in Spain, 2014 to 2017: An Application of a Quasi-Induced Exposure Approach

Abstract

We designed a cross-sectional study in Spain, from 2014 to 2017. Our objective was to assess sex-related differences in the amount of driving exposure of car drivers, overall and stratified by the main environment-related driving conditions. We compared the sex distribution across three populations: (1) total number of person-years aged > 18 years; (2) total number of person-years aged > 18 years holding a valid car-driving license; and (3) total number of non-responsible car drivers involved in crashes with another offending driver, stratified by different environmental variables. The quasi-induced exposure approach was applied: the non-responsible drivers were considered as representative of the entire population of drivers on the road at the place and time at which the crash occurred. We calculated the female-to-male odds ratio (OR) by comparing population 2 versus 1, and population 3 versus 2. Finally, we performed separate regression models in population 3 for each environment-related variable as the dependent variable and driver’s age and sex as the independent variables. The female-to-male OR for the first comparison was 1.12, but values below 1 were found for extreme age groups. In the second comparison, an OR of 0.50 (0.49–0.51) was found, with progressively lower OR values as age increased. In population 3, women were found to drive less than men in environments known to be high risk (i.e., open roads, night-time, poor light conditions, and weekends). A significant gender gap exists in the amount and type of driving exposure. Although women obtain a driving license more frequently than men, they drive much less and tend to avoid high-risk environments. These results emphasize the need to incorporate a gender perspective in the development and implementation of road safety interventions.

Comparison of Accommodation Speed and Reading Accuracy for Conventional and Digital Rear-View Mirrors with Emphasis on Overall Traffic Safety

“…In this case, women achieved statistically significant results in comparison with men. The explanation for this difference can be explained with the generally more responsible approach of women to driving a vehicle, where they are significantly more alert and at the same time careful (Mateos-Granados et al, 2021).…”

Employment and Social Security/Insurance among patients affected by mental disorders in Italy: A descriptive multi-center study

“…This may reflect a different gender role expectation in the work activity, above all in societies based on a traditional scheme of family with an expected role of man/husband providing for family subsistence needs (van Dijk & van Engen, 2019). Similarly, it has been largely described a gender impact on patterns of care-driving worldwide, with men expected to possess driving licenses more than women (Mateos-Granados et al, 2021). Also, physical activity is generally more practiced among men mostly sustained by cultural and societal factors based on gender-based body image (Bassett-Gunter et al, 2017).…”

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Road Injuries from 1990 to 2019

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