You’ve probably seen videos like the above before: a driver pulls into a parking spot in front of a business or restaurant then without warning the car plunges itself through the store window. How on earth can such an accident occur? Well apparently most times it’s a case of the driver accidently hitting the gas instead of the brake. As unthinkable and as unusual as it sounds, it happens more often than you think.
A new study has actually revealed that more often than not it’s older female drivers behind the wheel when this inattention occurs. Nearly two thirds of all car-into-building accidents occurred with an older female driver. In fact, most were over the age of 76, while most of the rest were under the age of 20. Pretty big difference in age there. Why the difference?
It likely has to do with female brain patterns. Researchers speculate that the area of the brain which is used for driving in females probably isn’t as robust at a younger age (20 or younger) and probably deteriorates more as the driver gets older (76 or older).
Before us men start to gloat and tout the stereotype flag, the study also noted that men have more accidents in general. About 60% of all types of car accidents had a male behind the wheel.
[Wheels.ca]