Based on Finnish survey data, older (65+, n = 1559) and younger (26-40, n = 310) drivers' accident rates were compared. In accordance with earlier studies, the rates were similar per driver (0.1) but there was a non-significant trend towards older drivers having more accidents per distance driven (10.8 vs. 8.3 per 1 million km). However, when the accidents-per-km comparison was made in groups matched for yearly exposure, there is no evidence for higher risk with increasing age. In both age groups, risk per km decreased with increasing yearly driving distance. We suggest that the previous perception of an age-related risk increase of accidents per distance driven arises from a failure to control for low mileage bias at all ages. (Author/publisher).
Abstract