Older drivers and their accidents.

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Abstract

The older driver project is described using slides from a computer presentation. It includes an ageing driver questionnaire, laboratory tests of drivers and on-road assessments. The errors, violations and lapses reported by older drivers are analysed. Active accidents were generally a result of errors, followed by mileage whereas passive accidents were mileage related. Active accident liability did not increase with increasing age whereas liability to passive accidents did increase. Drivers reporting many errors and lapses are 3.5-fold more likely to have had an active accident. Older drivers report more lapses than younger drivers. Lapses are more likely to occur when drivers need to do several things at once and cognitive demands may exceed capacity. Lapses may reflect a generally inattentive or hesitant driving style or the failure to spot irregularities by other drivers. It is suggested that road safety interventions targeted at older drivers should focus on maintaining and supporting the complex skills necessary for driving.

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Publication

Library number
C 21863 (In: C 21858 [electronic version only] ) /83 / ITRD E112556
Source

In: Moving on : ensuring safe mobility for an ageing population : proceedings of a conference organised by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), London, UK, 19th February 2001, p. 46-58

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This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.