There is little doubt that the changes in population structure within the UK will result during the next 40 years in increasing numbers of older people. The extent to which this trend will impact upon road safety policy specifically is, however, less clear, particularly in the period up to 2010. The paper first attempts to set the perceived problems within the broader framework of social, environmental and economic policy, particularly the emerging consensus on sustainable transport policy. It then discusses the extent to which the aims of road safety policy for the older road user might accord with or conflict with these broader policy considerations. Information is included summarising the position within Northamptonshire concerning reported accidents to older road users and comparisons are drawn with other national studies to determine their relative exposure to risk. A survey of current practice is referred to in the paper and the results of this should be available for presentation and discussion at the conference in order to assist in developing policy and programmes at the local level. In conclusion the paper returns to the theme of the balance between specific programmes for the area of activity and the broader concepts of sustainable transport development in an attempt to determine the most cost-effective approach. (A)
Abstract