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Highlighting the reality of fatality statistics for older drivers, a
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publication
reported, "In 1997, older people made up 9 percent of the
resident population but accounted for 14 percent of all traffic
fatalities and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities." NHTSA
summarized 1997 highway statistics for older drivers in
"Traffic Safety Facts 1997: Older Population" (DOT HS 808
769). The publication reported that:
In 1997, more than 24 million people in the United States were over
70 years of age.
Representing 9 percent of the population in 1997, the 70-and-older
age group grew 2.1 times faster from 1987 to 1997 than the total
population.
In 1986 older drivers were 7 percent of licensed drivers; in 1996
they were 19 percent of licensed drivers.
Of traffic fatalities involving older drivers, 82 percent happened
in the daytime, 71 percent occurred on weekdays, and 75 percent
involved a second vehicle.
When a crash involved an older driver and a younger driver, the
older driver was 3 times as likely as the younger driver to be the
one struck. Moreover, 28 percent of crash-involved older drivers
were turning left when they were struck-- 7 times more often than
younger drivers were struck while making left turns.
Older drivers involved in fatal crashes and fatally injured older
pedestrians claimed the lowest proportion of intoxication--defined
as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 grams per deciliter or
higher.
While only 55 percent of adult vehicle occupants (ages 18 to 69)
involved in fatal crashes were using restraints at the time of the
crash, 70 percent of fatal- crash-involved older occupants were
using restraints.
"On the basis of estimated annual travel, the fatality rate for
drivers 85 and over is nine times as high as the rate for drivers 25
through 69 years old."
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