Elderly road users
Elderly road users have an increased fatality rate in traffic. If they are involved in a crash, the risk of severe injury is considerably higher because of their physical vulnerability. In addition, functional limitations also increase the risk of a crash.
In the coming decades, the number of elderly road users will increase considerably. Despite their higher risk it remains important for the elderly to participate in traffic for as long as possible. In that case, the car is less dangerous than the bicycle or walking. Measures to improve the road safety of this group must particularly be looked for in adaptations of the infrastructure, in education and information, and in adapting the vehicle, with increasing attention for the application of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
For more details see:
Fact sheet The elderly in traffic (pdf)
Fact sheet The elderly and infrastructure (pdf)
Fact sheet The elderly and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) (pdf)
Safety
Increased risk, especially for the over-75s
The elderly are more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash. The fatality rate of the 65-74 year olds is about twice that of the 30-64 year olds. The fatality rate even is eight times higher for the over-75s. The fatality rate of elderly drivers is considerably lower than that of elderly cyclists and pedestrians. The elderly are relatively more often involved in crashes at intersections. Especially turning left is a problem for them.
Size of the problem
Now 15% older than 65; in 2040 that will be 25%
The number of over-65s in the
Possible causes
Partly functional limitations and partly a large physical vulnerability
The road safety of elderly road users is to a large extent determined by two factors: functional limitations and physical vulnerability. Functional limitations contribute to their more readily being involved in a crash; the increased vulnerability contributes to crashes having a worse outcome for the elderly.
Functional limitations
In general, ageing is accompanied by the slowing down of observation, decision making, and movement processes, and a decreased capacity to carry out more than one task simultaneously. In traffic, because there is the pressure of time and the necessity of dividing one's attention, this can have negative road safety consequences. These negative consequences most clearly manifest themselves in modes of transport that make the largest demands on the motor functions, such as walking and cycling. Sudden movements more rapidly cause loss of balance and falling among the elderly.
The decline of visual and cognitive functions that goes with normal ageing leads to road safety consequences a lot less rapidly. Relations between functional disturbances and crashes only become visible for those with severe sensory, perceptual, and cognitive disturbances. The reason that functional limitations do not automatically cause unsafe traffic behaviour is that older road users have a number of other characteristics, such as insight in one's own limitations, experience, and compensatory behaviour.
Physical vulnerability
Increased physical vulnerability, like for instance osteoporosis, is the result of biological processes which makes people more sensitive to external forces, such as a crash. The physical vulnerability has the most severe consequences for unprotected modes of transport such as walking and cycling. The physical vulnerability also influences the injury severity of drivers.
Measures
A combination of 'old' and new measures
There are various measures that can reduce the fatality rate of elderly road users in the future. For example, there are measures involving safety devices, technical support systems, and adaptations of the infrastructure. These measures can compensate for functional limitations that go together with ageing, allowing the elderly to remain safe and independent road users longer. Education is also of great importance. For example, readily available courses offer elderly motorists the opportunity to test their driving skills and driving behaviour, and perhaps urge them to take driving lessons to improve them. Specific forms of assessment and training will have to be made available to those elderly with functional disturbances that threaten the fitness to drive.
For more details see:
Fact sheet The elderly in traffic (pdf)
Fact sheet The elderly and infrastructure (pdf)
Fact sheet The elderly and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) (pdf)
References
(SWOV reports in Dutch have a summary in English)
Brouwer, W.H. & Davidse, R.J. (2002). Oudere verkeersdeelnemers. In: J.J.F. Schroots (red.), Handboek psychologie van de volwassen ontwikkeling en veroudering. Koninklijke Van Gorcum BV, Assen.
CBR (2000). Regeling eisen geschiktheid 2000. Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen CBR, Rijswijk.
Davidse, R.J. (2000). Elderly drivers; Identification of points of interest for research. D-2000-5. SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch)
Davidse, R.J. (2002). Road design elements taking the older road user into account; A liiterature study. R-2002-8. Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch)
Davidse, R.J. (2003). Older drivers and ITS: stronger together?; Literature study of the added value of Intelligent Transport Systems forthe safety of the elderly driver. R-2003-30. Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch)
Davidse, R.J. (2007). Assisting the older driver : intersection design and in-car devices to improve the safety of the older driver. Phd-thesis, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen,
Maycock, G. (1997). The safety of older car-drivers in the European Union.
OECD (2001). Ageing and transport: Mobility needs and safety issues. OECD, Parijs.
Sivak et al. (1995). The safety & mobility of older drivers: What we know & promising research issues. UMTRI Research Review (26)1.
OECD (2004). New transport technology for older people; an OECD - MIT International Symposium,
Staplin, L., Lococo, K., Byington, S. & Harkey, D. (2001). Highway design handbook for older drivers and pedestrians. FHWA-RD-01-103. Department of Transportation,