Carlos Solis
A crash analysis showed that women are disproportionately more likely to suffer injuries to the chest, spine, arms, and legs, says project coordinator Dr. Corina Klug, who with her team studied data from about 2,000 road crashes in Austria. For each crash, the researchers recreated the collisions in computer simulations using virtual anthropometric human models to compare how female and male bodies respond differently during impact.
Who Is at Particular Risk
The researchers found the risk of injury is especially high for women over 50. In low-speed crashes, women have more than twice the chance of sustaining serious injuries or dying compared with men.
“In our study, women and men were in the same crashes and in the same cars, so the difference cannot be explained by car type, speed, or crash circumstances,” Klug told BBC Science Focus. She added that the fact women are more often passengers widens the gap in risk but doesn’t fully explain it.
Why This Difference Occurs
The study authors say the cause lies in differences in body proportions and mass distribution between sexes. For decades, crash tests used dummies modeled on male measurements based on U.S. demographics from the 1970s: 175 cm tall and 78 kg in weight. Although manufacturers increasingly use “female” dummies, those models are mostly scaled-down versions of the male dummy — shorter and lighter than 95% of real women.
“Women are not small men,” Klug says. She says models of “very small, slim women” often don’t reflect what researchers see in real crashes. As a result, car designs protect male bodies better, while the risk for women remains disproportionately high.
To fix this, the authors recommend using more realistic “female” dummies: heavier and anatomically closer to the average woman — with a wider pelvis, a fuller chest, and narrower shoulders than current models. They also urge wider use of virtual crash models, which let manufacturers assess vehicle safety for different body types and seating positions.
What You Can Do Today
While industry standards change, drivers and passengers can improve their own safety by paying attention to seat position and proper seatbelt fit. “We’ve all seen passenger seats pushed way back or even reclined,” Klug notes. But airbags and seatbelts aren’t designed for those unconventional positions.
Coauthor Dr. Felix Reussi of TU Graz emphasizes correct buckling: “The lap belt should rest on the pelvic bone, and the shoulder belt should lie across the sternum and align with the middle of the collarbone.”
- Sit upright: avoid having the seat reclined far back.
- Adjust the belt: keep the lap belt low on the pelvis; position the shoulder belt across the center of your chest and collarbone.
- Check the distance to the airbag: a passenger seat pushed too far back increases the risk of injury.
- Remember anatomical differences: if you have atypical proportions or limited mobility, consider additional adaptations and consult a safety specialist.
The TU Graz study underscores that changes to testing methods and car design matter for reducing women’s injury risk. While those changes roll out, following current guidance on seating and belt fit can meaningfully reduce the chance of serious injury.
Photo: Unsplash
