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Older Drivers

   In the United States, 7,544 people age 65 and older died in motor vehicle crashes during 2001. During 2002, an estimated 193,068 adults age 65 and older suffered nonfatal injuries as occupants in motor vehicle crashes (CDC 2004).  In 2002, most traffic fatalities involving older drivers took place during the daytime (81%)and on weekdays(72%); 75% of the crashes involved another vehicle (NHTSA 2003c).

   Drivers age 65 and older who are injured in motor vehicle crashes are more likely than younger drivers to die from their injuries (IIHS 2004a). Moreover, motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries among older adults are rising. From 1990 through1997, the number of deaths rose 14% and the number of non-fatal injuries climbed 19% (Stevens et al. 1999).  The 65-and-older age group is the fastest growing segment of the population. It is estimated that more than 40 million older adults will be licensed drivers by 2020 (Dellinger, Langlois, and Li 2002).

   There are several risk factors that can contribute to motor vehicle-related injury.  Age-related declines in vision, hearing, cognitive functions, and physical impairments may affect some older people’s driving ability (Janke 1994). However, there are also some protective factors.  Older adults wear safety belts more often than do any other age groups except infants and preschool children (CDC 1997).  They also tend to drive when conditions are safest. They limit their driving during bad weather and at night, and they drive fewer miles than do younger drivers (TRB 1988).  Older drivers are also less likely to drink and drive than other adult drivers (NHTSA 2003c).

Research

Older driver involvement in crashes where someone else died —
   Analysis of fatality data showed that drivers age 65 years and older were less likely than drivers ages 16 to 34 to be involved in crashes where someone else died.  In fact, crashes caused by older drivers were more likely to kill the older driver than to kill others involved in the crash (Dellinger et al. 2004). 

Fatal crashes among older drivers —
   In a study of fatal crashes among drivers age 65 years and older, CDC researchers found that although older drivers drove less, they were more likely to crash and to die in a crash (Dellinger, Langlois, and Li 2002).