1364266 - The Crash Characteristics of Female Drivers at Different Life Stages

Throughout their lifetime, female drivers may get into one or more crashes. It is crucial to investigate the crash characteristics of female drivers at various phases of their lives. This research examines crash characteristics of Alabamian female drivers during puberty, reproductive age, climactic phase, and post-climactic period. A mixed logit model was estimated to account for unobserved heterogeneity in the crash data. The model estimation result unravels interesting findings showing significant crash characteristics throughout the life stages of female drivers. The influence of roadway features, location and environment, crash characteristics, driver characteristics, temporal characteristics, and vehicle characteristics were explored. Speeding was found to be a primary contributing factor among female drivers of all ages involved in crashes. Adolescents were more likely to be involved in crashes on urban roads and less likely to get into crashes during am-peak (6 am to 10 am). Women in their reproductive years were marginally more likely to drive with expired licenses. Unemployed female drivers were more likely to be involved in crashes at their climactic ages. Post-climactic drivers were more involved in fatigue-related crashes and less involved in a crash at night (8 pm to 12 am). The findings of this study can be used to improve highway safety for female drivers and help develop policies to reduce crash injuries.