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According to a recent study by the United Kingdom-based Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC), men are 50 to 100 percent more likely than women to be driving when involved in a fatal accident.

“The SIRC theorizes that the reason for the discrepancy is that men just don’t like rules,” says Autoblog. “Not just any rules, mind you. We’re talking driving rules.” These rules include running red lights, tailgating, racing and even drinking and driving.

According to the New York Times, “A number of studies have shown that men are more likely to violate the rules of the road. Jennifer Schwartz reported that in 2004 more than four times more men than women were arrested for drunk driving … Even given that men drive more, that’s an extremely lopsided rate.”

The Times goes on to note the reason for women’s less active role in breaking the rules — “that women tend to view traffic laws as just and necessary, and will obey them even when safety is not a factor. Men tend to be more skeptical, and are thus more likely to view road rules as ‘optional.’”

According to SIRC’s summary of the research, a 1992 study shows “that men have double the number of crashes (per 1,000 drivers) than women.” A 2001 study also shows that “men incur their first crash earlier in their driving career and are more likely than women to be held to blame for the incident.”

Of course, these findings should be taken with a grain of salt, as they represent only a specific group’s analysis. Of the study’s general message, Autoblog concludes, “Apparently, the hunter within each of us [men] compels us to value speed, strength and a solid quarter mile run.”

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.