There is a much higher percentage of men who are victims of traffic accidents than women. Between 2015 and 2019, 72% of those killed and hospitalized in this type of accident were men, according to a recent report financed by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), in which it is proposed to incorporate "mandatory gender modules". in the programs and exams to obtain and renew the driver's license.
The Study of road safety from a gender perspective proposes to improve the education of drivers through implementing measures, awareness campaigns and public policies aimed at valuing behaviors linked to prudence, respect for the rules, the non-violence, calmness and patience while driving.
The study attributes the higher number of men killed and injured in accidents to their greater exposure to traffic and the adoption of risky behaviors, such as speeding, alcohol consumption or less use of seat belts. “There is sufficient evidence that shows that men, and particularly young people, tend to have more aggressive behaviors compared to women in most cultures, and this factor has a very important impact on driving, prompting a more competitive and hostile behavior and, consequently, increasing the chances of suffering a traffic accident”, the study maintains.
Consequently, men present a rate of deaths in traffic accidents higher than that of women in all age groups. Specifically, they represent 72% of the most serious victims –deceased and hospitalized- and 59% of those not hospitalized. On the other hand, the highest percentages of women who died or were hospitalized in road accidents occurred when traveling by car (41%) and on foot (36%).
In addition to incorporating mandatory gender modules in the driving test, the study proposes another series of measures. For example, that awareness campaigns be carried out "focusing on those positive practices of women in terms of driving and their road behavior". Likewise, it is proposed to break with the stereotype that women "drive worse" by focusing the message that "their way of moving on the roads is more positive and is a more interesting model to imitate" than that of men.
The DGT report also proposes promoting campaigns focused on young boys to combat the stereotype of "taste for risk" or the perception that "there is no risk" as an element of masculinity and group acceptance, "affecting the cost of lives , cost of health and resources for the whole society”. In addition, he sees fit to include in road safety education courses "empowerment techniques for women", such as improving knowledge of the vehicle and their "action-reaction" capacity.
