The Age reports that deaths of women in car acidents are up 47% compared with the same period last year. That is quite a jump when you consider that the road toll in Victoria is relatively stable, up 4% overall.

Police analysts suspect that the culprit may be mobile phone SMS messaging whilst driving. Talking on the phone is one thing, and also banned unless you have hands free, but sending and reading of SMS messages is a whole new level of irresponsibility. This it appears is primarily the practice of female drivers.

Because deaths on Victorian roads are relatively low this huge jump may be the result of random variation. Even so, messaging whilst driving is never a good idea.