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Older drivers have different crash and traffic offence
patterns compared to younger drivers.
The types of crashes that older drivers are involved in
tend to reflect what would be considered fairly typical elderly attributes.
Errors by drivers tend to include perception (including hazard), judgement,
decision making and reaction time.
Compared to others, older drivers are more likely to crash
during low risk periods of daylight hours and on dry roads. This appears
to be caused by many older drivers modifying their driving times to
avoid driving in what they consider to be high risk periods.
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Studies also indicate that older drivers are more likely to crash in an urban
environment. For example, older drivers are more likely to crash at an intersection
and be performing complex traffic manoeuvres at the time of collision.
Types of crashes
In brief:
- Older drivers had a higher proportion of crashes at traffic signals,
railway crossings, stop and give-way signs
- Drivers above 60 years of age, particularly above 75 years, had the highest
proportion of direct and indirect right angle crashes
- Failure to give right of way was the most common traffic violation.
Responsibility for crashes
In brief the responsibility ratio shows:
- responsibility is high among drivers under 25 and the ratio then declines
up to the age of 60
- responsibility for crashes increases from about the age of 65+
- about 61 percent of 65-69 year olds are responsible for any fatal or
serious crash they are involved in
- drivers above 70 are responsible for more crashes than young drivers
under 25 years.
Causes
Most studies highlight the effects of ageing on cognitive, perceptual and
motor abilities eg by 65 most adults have measurable declines in their sensory
capabilities which can cause:
- a slower reaction time which is crucial in perceiving and responding
to hazards
- slower thought processes which affect making decisions and judgements
- loss of vision which causes difficulties with recognising objects in low
light conditions, driving in the dark, recovering from glare and awareness
of their environment.
However it needs to be remembered that the decline in cognitive processes
among older drivers is not uniform and depends upon the individual.
Tests
Drivers in South Australia who are aged 70 years and over are required to
undertake a yearly vision and medical test.
Also, a registered General Practitioner, optician or physiotherapist has a
duty to inform the Registrar of Motor Vehicles of any illness, disability
or deficiency of any driver which may inhibit their driving ability.
Self assessment tests can help you monitor your own driving performance.
To test
your driving performance.
Other Important Information
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