Women & Car Safety: Why Designs Still Favor Men – & The Risks You Face

A routine drive turned painful for Heidi Bouwdewijns (54) of Brabant in May 2024 when a Mercedes collided with the rear of her car while she waited at a roundabout near Nijmegen. The impact, classified as a “low impact” collision at under fifteen kilometers per hour, left her with a painful neck and headache, ultimately diagnosed as whiplash. Heidi’s experience highlights a troubling disparity in automotive safety: women are significantly more vulnerable in car crashes than men.

The Male as the Standard

Heidi’s story is not unique. Headlines referencing a United States scientific study have repeatedly pointed to the increased risk women face in vehicle accidents. Reports have ranged from “the man as the standard: chance of injury for women in car accident much greater” (LINDA, 2022) to “Women can’t drive and this is why” (Volkskrant, 2019). This disparity stems from the fact that cars are primarily designed and tested using the male body as the standard.

Automotive safety relies heavily on crash tests using crash test dummies – manikins equipped with sensors to measure the impact of a collision on the human body. While dummies representing the average man, such as the Hybrid III 50th male (1.75 meters tall and approximately 77 kilograms), are standard, You’ll see also variations for children. A smaller dummy, representing a woman (1.51 meters tall and around 52 kilograms and equipped with breasts), exists, but is rarely used.

Much Knowledge, Little Action

The female dummy was first developed in 2012 by researchers at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), led by Professor Astrid Linder. Linder saw it as a logical next step after designing the male dummy, as research indicated the female body reacts differently to a car crash than the male body. Despite this knowledge, implementation has stalled.

Legislation Determines

According to Linder, Humanetics, a global tech organization that produces crash test dummies, is willing to manufacture the female dummy, but only if they can secure sales to testing companies and the auto industry. Without a legal requirement to test with the female dummy, there is no commercial incentive to do so. Currently, the Hybrid III 50th male is the only dummy legally required for testing within the European Union.

Even Euro NCAP, an independent organization that rates car safety, does not require testing with the female dummy. Linder notes that if this concerned the safety of children, there would be widespread outrage, but women do not receive the same societal consideration.

Political Attention Without Result

In 2019, Rutger Schonis, a former member of the Dutch House of Representatives, submitted questions to the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management regarding this issue. The Minister expressed little concern, stating that existing European regulations already provide a high level of safety for both men and women. However, this assessment overlooked the fact that the “average” dummy used in testing refers only to the male version, ignoring the female dummy altogether.

The issue also received brief attention in the European Parliament, with Tilly Metz raising the concern in 2022 and 2023, but no further action was taken.

What We Don’t Measure, We Can’t Improve

“The problem is that policymakers are lagging behind the data,” explains Schonis. He notes that American research is difficult to compare to European conditions due to differences in roads and traffic laws. Comparable data from European sources is currently lacking.

Astrid Linder echoes this sentiment, stating that the lack of a centralized European database hinders accurate assessment of the situation. This reliance on American data stems from a lack of organization within Europe itself.

Intangible but No Less Real

The abstract nature of the data obscures the human cost. Sylvia van Rijzingen, who experienced whiplash herself, emphasizes the profound impact of car accidents, both physical and emotional. Many individuals experience symptoms that are difficult to quantify, such as fatigue, headaches, and heightened sensitivity.

Heidi continues to experience the effects of her whiplash nearly two years after the incident. Even simple daily activities can trigger neck and headaches. She has adapted, but the impact on her life remains.

Djamila van Leeuwen (30) also experienced whiplash after a car accident. Initially focused on a hand injury, she was later diagnosed with whiplash after persistent neck and mental symptoms. She found a lack of understanding and resources available for managing the condition.

Not Gender, But Person

Dagmar Vos, a trauma surgeon at Amphia Hospital in Breda, does not observe noticeable differences in injuries between men and women. She cautions against relying too heavily on American research, citing differences in road conditions and traffic regulations. “I don’t think you should look at it in terms of man-woman. I think it’s more important to look at the differences between people. We have people of all sizes, thin, fat.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shares this view, believing that testing with a dummy representing the average woman is not the solution. They advocate for advancements in crash test software, which allows for the simulation of a wider range of body types and sizes.

A Vicious Cycle

Car accidents are inevitable. The data and personal stories underscore the importance of continued development in automotive safety. Despite years of research and attention, little has changed. Researchers point to manufacturers, manufacturers to the testing industry, the testing industry to policymakers, and policymakers back to research. The media reports on the victims, but fundamental change remains elusive.

Astrid Linder previously predicted improvements in female crash test dummy technology by 2030. She now expresses doubt, stating that progress is hindered by a reluctance to acknowledge and address the issue.

If we prioritize the well-being of those affected, we may one day look back with astonishment at the 47 and 17 percent statistics, free from the pain of whiplash.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “low impact” collision?

A “low impact” collision, as in Heidi Bouwdewijns’ case, is a crash occurring at less than fifteen kilometers per hour.

What is the Hybrid III 50th male?

The Hybrid III 50th male is the standard crash test dummy used in most automotive safety testing. It represents the average male, standing 1.75 meters tall and weighing approximately 77 kilograms.

Why is there a lack of data on women’s injuries in car crashes in Europe?

There is a lack of a centralized European database that collects and differentiates data based on gender, making it difficult to accurately assess the risks faced by women in car accidents.