Skip to main content

US safety concern

Concern has been raised at the risks faced by older drivers following the publication of a report produced jointly by research group TRIP and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The report reveals that older drivers are more likely to be killed in intersection crashes than young drivers. Data for 20120 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 37% of fatal accidents involving drivers aged 65 and over involved an intersection. B
April 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Concern has been raised at the risks faced by older drivers following the publication of a report produced jointly by research group 5196 TRIP and the 3510 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

The report reveals that older drivers are more likely to be killed in intersection crashes than young drivers. Data for 20120 from the 2467 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 37% of fatal accidents involving drivers aged 65 and over involved an intersection. By comparison, only 20% of accidents involving younger drivers occurred at an intersection.

The figures showed that the number of deaths involved drivers aged 65 and above reached 5,750 in 2010, climbing above the 5,288 recorded for 2009. The study also revealed safety issues for older drivers when making left turns.

A separate study by the 5193 University of Kentucky has shown that that older drivers can have problems estimating the speed of oncoming vehicles and difficulty in judging appropriate gaps in oncoming traffic when turning left. Better street lighting, longer merge and exit lanes, as well as brighter and simple road signs could help the older drivers however.

Related Content

  • Safety measures aid workzone accident reduction
    February 20, 2012
    Everyone connected with the highway industry is involved in the efforts to cut down the number of work zone accidents. Patrick Smith reports. A few months ago, as road work resumed on America's highways and bridges, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on drivers to use extra caution in work zones. At the same time he commended the success in reducing overall roadway fatalities in each of the last seven years.
  • Japan’s older drivers face more checks
    July 26, 2017
    A new study in Japan has highlighted the need to address the ability of older drivers to optimise road safety and cut crashes. The study looked specifically at how best to avoid road crashes caused by a deterioration in the physical condition of each driver. This research was carried out by Keio University's Center for Integrated Medical Research's Mineko Baba. Japanese road crash data shows that in 2016, there were 459 fatal incidents involving drivers aged 75 years or over.
  • Road safety move for young drivers
    April 11, 2024
    A new road safety focus for young drivers will save lives
  • US road safety improving
    April 8, 2024
    US road safety is improving, but slowly.