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

  • New driver video systems could cut crashes
    May 13, 2014
    A study into new technologies by The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in the US reveals that advanced video systems could cut crashes. VTTI’s report analysed collisions involving heavy trucks and buses and found that Lytx’s video-based driver safety system could save lives and reduce injuries. The study concluded that heavy trucks and buses using the DriveCam powered by Lytx Program could reduce fatalities, collisions and injuries. “If driver behavior is the primary reason for traffic crashes,
    Read More
  • Quiet cars causing concerns for pedestrians
    March 30, 2015
    Data from the UK reveals that quiet electric vehicles or hybrids operating in electric mode pose particular problems for pedestrians. A report has found that such vehicles are 40% more likely to be involved in a traffic incident involving a pedestrian than a conventional combustion-engined vehicle. The report adds that partially sighted or blind people face the highest risks, while children and older people are also at risk. This follows earlier research from Japan, highlighting the risks to pedestrians pos
    Read More
  • Developments in workzone safety systems
    May 3, 2012
    Raising awareness of safety in highway work zones is a global issue, and various initiatives highlight this as Patrick Smith reports. So seriously is work zone safety taken in the United States that each year since 1999 a special week has been set aside to highlight it. Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
    Read More
  • Developments in workzone safety systems
    February 8, 2012
    Raising awareness of safety in highway work zones is a global issue, and various initiatives highlight this as Patrick Smith reports. So seriously is work zone safety taken in the United States that each year since 1999 a special week has been set aside to highlight it. Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
    Read More

Highlighted Content