This paper describes how, over the last several years, increased attention has been given to older drivers and their associated safety concerns. This effort is directed toward a better understanding of crash characteristics associated with a driver's age. Data used to define characteristics are primarily based on Pennsylvania Accident Record Systems and only reflect Pennsylvania. The proportion of the population over age 65 has grown significantly over the last few decades and is growing larger every day. This national trend toward an aging population is especially pronounced in Pennsylvania. In the past 40 years, the state's older population has more than doubled to the 1.8 million reported in the 1990 census. Of these, 760,000 were age 75 or older. Pennsylvania is the fourth largest state in terms of population age 65 and over, but ranks second only to Florida. While the percentage of the over-65 population continues to grow, changing demographic trends also have resulted in changing transportation needs within this group. Mobility is essential to the quality of life of older people, and all trends indicate that the majority of their transportation needs into the next century will be met by private automobile. In addition, most of the trips by older persons are not into or out of a city, but between two suburban locations where population density is often too low to support transit systems.
Abstract