The gender gap is a global issue that is affecting every sphere of human life. Out of all other issues, road safety and its association with gender disparity is one big issue today. According to WHO(world health organization), every year almost 1.3 million people lose their lives due to road traffic crashes.
Several pieces of research have been conducted that show that women are more likely to risk driving on roads as compared to men. Moreover, the post-crash care facilities and responsibility after an injury or death are also influenced by gender. A thorough view of these factors and ways to find solutions to these is imperative for road safety development and post-crash care management.
Several factors highlight the role of gender in car accidents. Few of which are explained below.
Frequency of women’s involvement in car crashes
It has been observed that women are more likely to take risks on roads as compared to men who are more careful while driving. The reason behind this is that a big ratio of women are either unaware of the basic understanding of the traffic rules or have fewer chances of exposure to roadside traffic. This could be because of the gendered role of women that made them limited to their homes. Thus, restricting their mobility and opportunities in their lives.
Availability of Post-crash care for women
Another essential factor to consider while looking at the role of women in car accidents is their post-crash care. Men as compared to women are more likely to enjoy post-crash care from their wives, mothers, or sisters. While women have to do it themselves. Other than this common cultural barrier a big issue is the lack of post-crash health insurance policy or unavailability of sustainable financial support.
High risk of poverty following a car accident
According to the word bank report, women can more often hit the poverty line, take extra responsibility after road accidents, and are burdened by extra work. This is more likely to happen because women are dependent on their male counterparts for their financial support or are working on low wage jobs. Thus, in case of any post-crash disability, women are in danger of bankruptcy or financial crisis.
The way forwards
The factors that contribute to the role of gender in roadside accidents vary according to the geographical regions, socio-economic conditions, or literacy rate of the areas where the accidents happen. However, the ratio of these accidents is not far different. Pragmatic steps to resolve these gendered issues should be taken by the governments. For instance, upgrading road safety policies, increasing awareness about the services that could help women escape poverty like total and permanent disability lawyer could be a good option to avail in case of financial crisis that they may face after a post-crash disability.Other way forwards are increasing mass transit facilities for women to allow them to avail safer options for traveling, and introducing post-crash health insurance services for women and hiring teams for taking care of injured people. Thus, relieving women from the burden that they face after a road accident.