The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said new research proves women are at higher risk of injury than men during vehicular crashes. 

According to the study, women have a significantly higher risk of injury than men in 26% of the 150 crash injury models, and women have a higher risk more frequently for moderate injuries. The study comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation launched the first-of-its-kind advanced female crash test dummy – known as the THOR-05F.

“This study reaffirms the importance of the THOR and will help the Department further build on the progress it’s already made in lowering traffic fatalities,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.

NHTSA studied six crash types for this report: frontal, near-side, far-side, and rear crashes; one combining all four of those crash types; and one for rollover crashes. 

Findings related to moderate and higher injuries include: 

• 46% higher injury risk in frontal crashes.
• 55% higher injury risk in rollover crashes.
• 62% higher risk for lower extremity injuries in frontal crashes
• 128% higher risk of injuries to the foot and ankle in frontal crashes. 

This new injury report’s results suggest the following for both men and women: 

• Injury risk increases with a person’s age. When compared to the youngest age group (13-24), each subsequent age group had higher moderate-to-severe and fatal injury risk in all but rollover crashes.
• Having a body mass index of 30 or higher was frequently associated with significantly higher injury risk, especially in frontal crashes.
• Occupant height was not significantly associated with injury risk in 86% of injuries studied.