This study investigates the mortality rate among elderly people in a defined population and geographical area, and analyses fatal traffic accidents. Retrospective study based on death certificates and police reports from 1983 to 1994. The population investigated was people aged 70 years or more in Ringkobing (24,000 persons - mid-population 1988). People aged 0-69 years were chosen as controls. There were 447 fatalities from road traffic accidents in the period. Eighty persons (18%) were 70 years or more resulting in a relative risk of 2.11 compared to the age group 0-69 years (p less than 0.05 Fisher's exact test). Older pedestrians did not differ from younger pedestrians. As for bicycle riders balance problems resulting in a sudden change of lane or a sudden left turn. The typical accident for older drivers is where the driver ignores a stop sign or other types of traffic regulation. The paper suggests that a better way of testing elderly drivers before renewing their drivers license should be considered.
Samenvatting