In 2002 there were 397 road fatalities in Victoria, of which 79 or nearly 20% were aged over 60. Older people account for a disproportionate share of pedestrian casualties. Those aged 65 years and over represent approximately 35% of pedestrian fatalities. People aged 60 years and over currently make up about 17% of Victoria’s population, and approximately 20% of fatalities. Transport Accident Commission data shows 16% of hospitalisation claims and nine per cent of minor injury claims are for people over 65 years. The more serious road trauma is due to older people’s frailty, in only some circumstances. In 85% of fatal crashes involving a driver 80 years or older, the driver was considered to be responsible. Australian data shows that, beyond middle age, driver responsibility increases with age for such crashes. The number of older drivers involved incasualty crashes has risen over the past decade, and to a greater extentthan the rise in the number of older Victorians or the numbers of older licence holders. Older drivers are involved in a higher proportion of intersection crashes, usually because they fail to give way and a lower proportion of speeding, unsafe overtaking anddrink-driving crashes. Crash injuries of older people are generally more severe than for younger people, due to their frailty and the type of crash, such as side-impact. Improvements are needed in the way inwhich older road user crashes are recorded and published, analyses of crash risks undertaken and information published about who is responsible for crashes. (Author/publisher)
Abstract