The risk of fatal crash involvement was calculated for older drivers relative to drivers ages 40-49 in the United States during the years 1994-1995. The results indicated that drivers ages 65-69 were 2.26 times more at risk for multiple-vehicle involvements at intersections compared with 1.29 times more at risk for all other situations. The comparable figures for drivers ages 95 and older were 10.62 for multiple-vehicle involvements at intersections compared with 3.74 for all other situations. Relative crash risk was particularly high for older drivers at uncontrolled and stop sign-controlled locations, when travelling straight or when just starting to enter the intersection, and when the specific behavioural error in the crash was failure to yield. Countermeasures will likely involve reducing or simplifying the need to detect and evaluate moving traffic coming from the left and right at intersections. Existing countermeasures include the installation of signals with protected left turns, four-way stop signs, and one-way streets. While such countermeasures involve significant costs in terms of dollars and travel delay, they may be warranted in the future as the U.S. population continues to age. (Author/publisher)
Abstract