This short paper discusses the role of national and international actions in attempting to face up to the consequences of increased licence holding and driving by elderly people. Before looking at these actions some background information is given on demographic and other factors - the proportion of elderly who hold driving licences, levels of personal mobility, and accessibility of transport provision. Six possible policy measure areas are selected and discussed, that can affect the participation and safety of elderly people in traffic: (1) regulations on licensing; (2) information campaigns; (3) adjusting to not having a car; (4) specific measures for elderly pedestrians; (5) vehicle design; and (6) road infrastructure design. An annex to this paper is the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) resolution on the improvement of road safety for the elderly, made at the ECMT meeting in Antalya, Turkey, on 22-23 May 1991.
Abstract