subject: Woman Suffer More Whiplash Injuries Than Men [print this page] Swedish researchers have determined that female drivers are three times more likely to suffer from whiplash injuries than men, if their car is hit from behind.
The Umea University research team have deduced that women are at a greater risk due to how much closer they sit to the wheel. This generalisation was seen after studying over 400 whiplash injuries and the circumstances of them happening.
The research team have suggested that crash-test dummies should be used in a way that better reflects the driving habits of women. This would not only give a more accurate picture of what happens in whiplash injury related accidents but could help improve seat design.
But experts in the United Kingdom claim that a variety of dummies are used in the testing process already.
Research was compiled from the data records of insurance companies, with little more than 400 whiplash injuries being examined. On top of this, live studies were conducted which looked at how 200 different men and women adjusted their seats and the positions they drove in when either moving or stationary.
Through their data gathering and analysis, it was determined that women are at a greater risk due to the fact that they sit higher and closer to the steering wheel and with their seat in a more upright position than men.
It was also established that both men and women are two times more at risk sitting in the drivers seat as compared to the front passenger seat.
Researchers remarked that "Current crash dummies used to develop vehicle seats and neck supports, for instance, are geared to men of normal size, but not to women.
"This is especially true in regard to height.
"Nor does testing methodology take into consideration differences between the sexes, or differences in sitting position between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat."
by: Antonia Torr
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