Older Adults
The 65 and older age group is the fastest growing segment of the population with more than 40 million licensed older adults driving by 2020. Motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries among older adults are rising. During 1990–1997, the number of deaths rose 14% and the number of nonfatal injuries climbed 19%. Drivers ages 65 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than all but teen drivers. In addition, those drivers over the age of 65 who are injured in motor vehicle crashes are more likely than younger drivers to die from their injuries. Rates for motor vehicle-related injury are twice as high for older men than for older women.
Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Older Adult Drivers Fact Sheet:
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/older.htm
U.S. Department of Transportation
Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Older Population:
www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810808.PDF