The aim of this study was to examine the accident involvement of elderly road users. A review of the international literature was undertaken. Analyses were conducted of recent crahses in Victoria. Results showed that the number and rates per head of population of casualty crashes amongst elderly road users have been generally decreasing since 1989 although this decline was more apparent for pedestrians than it was for drivers. Older road users are far more likely to be severely injured in the event of a crash and more likely to sustain serious chest injuries than their younger counterparts. Older drivers represent about 5% of the total cost of trauma to drivers in the state of Victoria; older pedestrians, however, represent about 14% of the total cost of pedestrian trauma in this state. Older road users appear to be over-involved in crashes at intersections, particularly at cross intersections and those controlled by stop and give-way signs, and tend to have their crashes during daylight hours. The results also suggested that older road users are over-involved in crash configurations with a relatively high level of complexity. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for interventions aimed at older drivers and pedestrians and for current issues such as older driver licence testing. Areas for further research idenfified in this study are also discussed. (A)
Abstract