Are GA men or women worse about speeding in the state? Here’s what new data shows
Of all the road dangers Georgia residents face, speeding remains one of the major factors in traffic fatalities, but there are some demographics that fare better than others.
Driver-education site, Zutopi, reported new statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), revealing a marked difference in speeding between male and female drivers.
This new data indicates female drivers speed less and account for 62% fewer speeding-related fatal crashes than their male counterparts across the nation.
Georgia’s speeding snapshot
As of late 2024 the Georgia Department of Driver Services, reported 8.85 million licensed drivers in Georgia, with records revealing a nearly even distribution between male and female categories, with small numbers of gender-neutral and other classifications.
Georgia is in the lower-middle range nationally but that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of speeding-related risks.
Total deaths involving speeding: 428
Percentage of fatal crashes involving speeding: Approximately 4%
Gender disparities in speeding crashes
Male drivers:
According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), male drivers are disproportionately represented in serious and fatal speeding-related crashes statewide. In 2021, 17% of young male drivers (15–24) involved in serious injury or fatal crashes were speeding at the time, the highest rate among all demographic groups.
The new data compiled by NHTSA corroborates this data, revealing male drivers:
Account for 2,201 speeding-related fatal crashes nationwide.
Are involved in speeding crashes nearly twice as often as female drivers.
Participate in more risk-taking behaviors that result in speed-related fatal crashes
Female drivers:
Although the speed-related numbers favor female drivers, they often tend to exhibit higher rates of distracted driving compared to men, reports the Georgia Department of Public Safety. A 2024 observational survey found that 17.2% of female drivers were distracted while driving, compared to 12.7% of male drivers.
The data compiled by NHTSA shows female drivers:
Involved in 844 speeding-related fatal crashes nationwide.
Tend to engage in less risky driving behaviors, contributing to lower speeding fatal crash rates.
While Georgia ranks 8th among states with the least speeding, the data reveals the risk still remains real, especially for young male drivers.
So, be careful and slow down out there. Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
