The number of elderly in the Netherlands will greatly increase the coming years. This report tries to give an answer to the question of whether the group of elderly drivers is a group of road users which demands more attention from policy and research. The research project consisted of three partial studies: (1) an analysis of the present situation; (2) a prognosis for the future; and (3) an inventory and evaluation of measures to possibly lower the risk of elderly drivers. The analysis of the present situation showed, among other things, the following: (i) The 75 years and older had the highest chance of being killed in a road accident (death risk), and the 18-24 year olds took second place; and (ii) the 75 years and older were second in the victim risk (the chance of being killed or injured, regardless of the severity), and the 18-24 year olds had the greatest chance. Prognoses for 2010 and 2030 show that elderly car drivers are an important group of road users, demanding attention from both research and policy. Measures that can cause a lower risk for elderly car drivers are: (a) types of examination that are better aimed at the most important problem groups; and (b) types of support such as 'sustainably safe' changes in the infrastructure, telematics, information, and training. Further research is necessary before such measures can be implemented.
Samenvatting