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@Oliver Schick
I haven't noticed that distinction particularly, Steff. It seems to me quite close to the idea that women are more likely to obey red lights (which I can't say I've witnessed, either) than men, while men are more likely to jump them, which many people think is 'safer'.
I know you're fully aware of this, but I think what we really have to beware of here is our perception of gender in general (which may be stereotyped and inaccurate such as in 'women more passive/quiet/reserved, men more (pro-)active/forthcoming/'--in fact, how many people imagine women and men should be as opposed to what they really are) colour our analysis of such crashes. A bit like the uncertainty principle--the attitude of the observer influences what is being observed.
One reason why it's not known what causes the apparent gender divide in lorry left-hooks is because we don't have very good information on crashes. Police reports tend to focus mainly on the immediate crash location and don't record all the other factors that may have played a role. It would take a good deal of dedicated research into inquests, speaking to familes (to find out information that might not have been recorded at inquest, also because a lot of inquests end quite unsatisfactorily), etc., to compose a full picture.
It would be a worthwhile graduate research project for sure. Until someone is able to take it on, we are probably left to speculate only.