The study, made necessary by the high incidence of traffic accidents involving pedestrians and drivers over the age of 55 in Spain, aims to establish the main environmental difficulties and functional restrictions that pedestrians and drivers in this age group face. More than a third of pedestrian fatalities were over the age of 64 and, generally, drivers in this age group have a high risk of being involved in accidents. Other sociodemographic and psycho-sociological criteria show the growing importance of road safety for this group. For these reasons, a descriptive study was conducted on a sample 700 pedestrians and drivers of the Spanish population over 55. The information gathered showed the evolution of the incidence of environmental, motor and cognitive difficulties they encounter and the strategies being established to counter these limitations. We are now able to identify,through this age group, the infrastructural elements which need changing and the personal aspects which can be taught so as to improve their quality of life and safety on the roads. (A)
Abstract