While driving is a necessity in most people’s everyday lives, it also comes with associated risks every time you get behind the wheel.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), over 37,000 people die in road crashes each year, and an additional 2.35 million are left injured or disabled.

But are men more susceptible to car accidents than women? According to stats from different studies, this seems to be true.

The average annual miles driven per male driver is over 16,000. Comparatively, that number is only 10,000 annual miles for women. The more miles that are driven, the more possibilities of being involved in a motor vehicle accident occur.

Additionally, NHTSA data shows that of the speeding drivers who end up in fatal crashes, the proportion of female drivers much less than male drivers across all age groups. Almost one-third of male drivers aged 15-20 who were in fatal crashes in 2016 were speeding at the time of the crash.

How to minimize car accidents

Can the number of car crashes that men are involved in be prevented? With these tips, the chance of being involved in car accidents can at least be lessened.

Practice safe driving

By following driving laws like obeying speed limits, traffic signs, and wearing seatbelts, men can be safer drivers. Staying aware and alert to signals, rules of the road, and other drivers will help ensure a safer driving experience.

Don’t drink and drive

There is no reason to get behind the wheel after having too many drinks to put you over the legal driving limit, especially with other ride options right at your fingertips with smartphone apps such as Uber and Lyft. Accidents are more likely to happen when drunk driving, putting your own as well as others’ lives in danger.

Stay protected from car accidents

Even if you practice safe driving and follow the tips above, car accidents can still happen. If you are involved in a crash, make sure you protect yourself with a car accident lawyer. While no one wants to be in a car accident, understanding your options after one happens is important to make a bad experience worse.