It is widely accepted that among young people, males are more likely than females to suffer road-related injuries. However, a new study has found that among older people, women appear to be more vulnerable.

Spanish researchers analysed the risk of road accident injuries among 100,000 men and women.

They found that the risk of injury is not always higher among men - this depends on the age of those involved and the transport used.

"Among the youngest pedestrians and drivers, men show a greater risk of mild and serious injury than women, although the differences are reversed as age increases, such that elderly females are more likely to injure themselves than males," the researchers from the Barcelona Public Health Agency said.

Not surprisingly, they found that young make drivers were more likely to suffer a road-related injury than their female peers. The researchers believe that this is because young males are more likely to act recklessly on the road, e.g. by speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol.

However, when it came to older people, the risk of suffering a road-related injury was higher among women. They suggested a number of reasons for this, including less driving experience overall.

"Moreover, women tend to drive more along city streets - generally for journeys associated with the family and home - where there is likely to be more congestion, increasing the probability of collision, although the accidents are less serious because the speed is lower," the researchers commented.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Accident, Analysis and Prevention.