Traffic Fatalities Among Older Drivers Remain Disporportionately High

A study released yesterday by TRIP, a national transportation research group, shows that as the Baby Boomer generation ages, they will face a transportation system that is inadequate to offer the mobility and safety demanded by older Americans and the general population. According to the report, "Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans", older motorists are still involved in a disporportionately high share of traffic fatalities. In 2010, there were 5,750 fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver age 65 or older. Although drivers 65 and older account for only 8% of all miles driven, they comprise 17% of all traffic fatalities.

Pennsylvania ranks as the fifth largest state for drivers age 65+, with 1,594,988. It ranks fourth in fatalities for crashes involving a driver 65+ with 265, and ranks sixth with 150 drivers ago 65+ killed in traffic accidents.

According to the TRIP report, the population of Americans 65 and older will grow 60% by 2025, at which time one in every five drivers will be over the age of 65. Due to improved healthcare, better education, and higher incomes the Baby Boomer generation will be more mobile, healthy, and active than previous generations of older Americans. For those age 65 and older, 90% of travel takes place in a private vehicle.

The TRIP report also offers a set of recommendations for improving the mobility and safety for older Americans. However, since many of these recommendations are desigend to reduce the consequences of driving errors they would make the roads safer for all Americans. Among these recommendations are: clearer, brighter signange with large lettering, brighter street markings at intersections, widening or adding left turn lanes and extending the length of merge or exit lanes, promoting education and training programs for older drivers, monitoring "at risk" older motorists through appropriate licensing requirements, and ensuring public transit routes, vehicles, and facilities are easily accessible and accomodating to older or disabled passengers.

"The growing ranks of older Americans will far outpace previous generations with their level of mobility and activity. Serving their needs will require a transportation system that includes safer roads, safer vehicle, safer drivers, and improved choices," said Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP. "Congress can help not only older drivers, but all drivers by passing long-term federal surface transportation legislation now."

Posted in: Ryan Jeroski