A new investigation reveals a troubling disparity in vehicle safety standards that puts women at significantly greater risk in crashes. Despite decades of automotive safety improvements, crash data shows women are 73 percent more likely to suffer severe injuries and 17 percent more likely to die in vehicle accidents compared to men.

Filmmaker Eve Van Dyke's personal experience sparked her investigation. After noticing women in her own crash sustained more injuries than men, she began examining the half-century history of auto safety testing in the United States. Her findings, presented in a recent Opinion Video, expose how safety standards have failed to adequately protect female drivers and passengers.

The disparity stems from testing protocols that have historically relied on male crash test dummies and male-centric body measurements. This oversight means safety features like airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones may not provide equal protection for all body types. The automotive industry's failure to address this gender gap represents a critical oversight in public safety that has persisted for generations.