Men responsible for nearly 80% of fatal aggressive crashes, study shows

Men were behind the wheel in nearly 80% of fatal crashes linked to aggressive or careless driving, according to a new analysis of federal NHTSA crash data, a gap researchers say reflects both driving habits and risk-taking behavior. “A single instance of risky driving can have deadly consequences,” LendingTree, the marketing comparison company that analyzed the federal crash data, said. LendingTree’s research found that men accounted for 3,753 crashes, or 78.6%, involving aggressive or careless driving in 2024, the latest year for which the company said data was available. Women, meanwhile, were responsible for 955 crashes of that type. It is unclear exactly how to explain the substantial disparity, but LendingTree said several factors may help shed some light. “According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men drive more miles on average than women and are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, such as speeding and impaired driving,” the company said. The research also found that Gen Z, ages 18 to 27, and millennials, ages 28 to 43, accounted for 59.2% of these fatal crashes. “Millennial and Gen Z drivers often spend more time commuting, driving for work or traveling during rush hour and late-night hours than older generations,” LendingTree car insurance expert Lindsay Bishop said. “That can increase their risk of being involved in a fatal crash.” Surprisingly to some, California ranked second, tied with Maine, among the states with the lowest share of fatal crashes involving aggressive or careless driving. States with the lowest share of fatal aggressive crashes were Utah, California and Maine, tied for second, followed by Ohio and Illinois. Arkansas had the highest share of fatal crashes involving unsafe driving behaviors, according to the study.