Female Fatality Rates Mirror Male Drivers More Closely in These Ten States, Study Finds

Dallas, Texas — July 2025 A new analysis by The Texas Law Dog is spotlighting ten U.S. states where women’s rates of fatal car accidents more closely match those of male drivers. While men still dominate fatality statistics nationwide, this study reveals specific regions where the gender gap is narrowing.

Pulling data from five consecutive years, the study examines how driver fatality rates compare by sex using federal sources. The firm aggregated crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System and cross-referenced them with licensing data from the Federal Highway Administration. By normalizing annual fatalities against the number of licensed drivers, researchers established state-by-state ratios that show how often men and women die in vehicle collisions.

Alaska leads the pack with the smallest gender disparity. From 2018 to 2022, Alaska recorded an average of 11.80 male driver fatalities per 100,000 licensed drivers each year. Female drivers in the state experienced a rate of 4.23. This results in a male-to-female fatality ratio of 2.79, the closest gap of any state.

Second is Idaho, where the ratio stands at 2.93. The state saw average annual fatality rates of 19.08 for male drivers and 6.52 for female drivers. The closeness of these figures makes Idaho one of the more balanced states in terms of gender outcomes on the road.

New Hampshire ranks third, with male drivers reporting 11.45 fatalities per 100,000 and female drivers 3.85 annually. This puts the ratio at 2.97, just shy of the 3-to-1 threshold that most other states exceed.

Following closely are Oklahoma, Montana, and Mississippi with ratios of 3.00, 3.06, and 3.12 respectively. Despite Oklahoma’s higher fatality counts, averaging 27.95 for males and 9.31 for females, the relative difference between the sexes remains smaller than in most states. Montana and Mississippi also show notable consistency. Mississippi, however, ranks among the highest in sheer fatality numbers, with male drivers averaging 36.14 deaths and female drivers 11.59 per 100,000 annually.

Delaware, Kansas, Nebraska, and Alabama fill out the rest of the top ten. In each case, male drivers were still over three times more likely than female drivers to die in a crash, but the gaps are narrower compared to national norms. Alabama ranks tenth overall, with a male-to-female fatality ratio of 3.21. The state's data shows 25.68 male driver fatalities and 7.99 female fatalities per 100,000 licensed drivers.

Despite these relatively balanced ratios, the numbers make clear that male drivers continue to dominate fatal crash statistics across all states. The pattern holds even in regions where the gender gap appears narrow. No state reported a ratio below 2.7, meaning men remain significantly more prone to fatal driving incidents regardless of geography.

In contrast, Texas, sits much lower in the rankings. The state holds the 30th position, with a ratio of 3.62. Here, men are over three and a half times more likely to be involved in deadly accidents than women. The average annual fatality rate for male drivers in Texas is 21.70 per 100,000 licensed drivers, compared to just 6.00 for female drivers.

The Texas Law Dog team highlights this pattern not just as a statistical trend but as a starting point for change. Understanding where fatality gaps are narrowing and where they remain wide is essential for crafting effective safety campaigns. The study encourages state agencies and community leaders to consider gender-targeted strategies to reduce traffic deaths.

Differences in driving behavior, risk exposure, and even vehicle type may influence fatality rates between genders. While some disparities may stem from cultural and behavioral factors, others could reflect access to safety resources or seatbelt usage rates. These areas warrant deeper exploration, particularly in states with high crash fatality totals and limited reductions in gender gaps.

By identifying states with closer fatality rates between men and women, The Texas Law Dog brings attention to the evolving landscape of driver safety. This data-driven approach offers a foundation for informed road safety initiatives and underscores the need for both national and localized responses.