When we first covered this issue in October on the Raleigh Legal Examiner, gender disparities in crash injury outcomes were already well documented. Now, the topic has returned to national headlines after new AP reporting highlighted efforts to develop a more accurate female crash test dummy, a development advocates say is long overdue.
Despite decades of research showing that women are more likely to be seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents, U.S. safety testing still relies heavily on models based on the “average” male body of the 1970s. As a result, safety systems such as seatbelts and airbags are calibrated around male physiology, leaving women at a disadvantage.
Why Women Are Hurt More Often in Crashes
Multiple studies have confirmed the disparity. A 2024 study from the Medical College of Wisconsin found that women are significantly more likely than men to suffer severe or fatal injuries in comparable crashes, and 73% more likely to be hurt in frontal collisions. Anatomy plays a major role: differences in neck structure, pelvis shape, and overall body composition mean that crash forces affect women differently than men.
NHTSA data backs this up. Women suffer around 80% more injuries to the neck, chest, and pelvis in crashes. Yet the female dummy used in U.S. crash testing is not designed from female anatomical data; it is simply a scaled-down male dummy with limited modifications. Even worse, this “female” dummy is rarely placed in the driver’s seat during five-star safety tests, despite women making up the majority of licensed drivers.
These gaps have consequences. When safety systems aren’t tested on bodies that reflect the full driving population, injuries become more severe, recovery takes longer, and long-term impacts can be more significant, and in this case, particularly for women.
The Push for New Crash Test Dummies Gains Momentum
The renewed national attention stems from a new female dummy design developed by a Swedish research team, which the AP reports has already undergone early testing in Europe. Unlike the U.S. version, this prototype accounts for the average woman’s height, weight distribution, joint movement, and neck structure. Advocates say it more accurately predicts injury outcomes and should be incorporated into federal testing.
The nonprofit Drive US Forward, founded by crash survivor Maria Weston Kuhn, continues to push Congress and federal agencies to modernize U.S. standards. Kuhn’s advocacy began after experiencing firsthand how women in her family suffered more serious injuries in a crash than the men, despite sitting in the same vehicle and wearing seatbelts.
Lawmakers have introduced proposals requiring NHTSA to adopt an advanced female crash dummy and update its old testing protocol. Although progress has been slow, the AP notes that the international momentum combined with mounting scientific evidence has put pressure on regulators.
What Needs to Change in Car Crash Testing
Experts and advocates cite several essential reforms:
- Update crash test dummies to reflect modern body data for both men and women.
- Require driver seat testing with female models to reflect real world demographics.
- Revise safety standards so airbags, seatbelts, and head restraints protect a broader range of body types.
- Encourage auto manufacturers to design systems that account for sex based injury differences.
Until these steps become mandatory, the safety gap will persist and women will continue experiencing higher rates of injury even in newer vehicles.
Car accident cases are complex even under ideal circumstances, but for women who already face increased risk due to outdated safety standards, the stakes can be even higher. Determining the full scope of injuries, long-term impact, and financial loss often requires expert analysis by a knowledgeable car accident attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured in a North Carolina car accident, the Whitley Law Firm is here to help. Contact us online or call 1-800-785-5000 for a free consultation.
