Road deaths

Sex differences

Young males are much more likely to die on the roads than young females. 

In each of the five-year bands from 1988 to 2007, the young male road death rate has been more than twice the young female rate.  The gap is closing, however: in 1988-2002, the ratio of male to female road deaths in the 15 to 24 age group was more than 3 to 1, and by 2003-2007, this ratio had narrowed to 2.5 to 1. 

Five-year average annual road death rates (per 100,000 population) for young people aged 15 to 24, by sex, 1988-2007

Five-year average annual road death rates (per 100,000 population) for young people aged 15 to 24, by sex, 1988-2007

Source: Ministry of Transport; rates derived by the Ministry of Social Development.