Exploring crash characteristics and injury outcomes among older truck drivers: An analysis of truck-involved crash data in the United States

Abstract

Road freight transportation represents a long-standing public health and transportation safety problem in the United States. Despite the United States’ aging population, and predictions of an aging road freight transportation workforce, there is little information about the unique safety issues faced by older truck drivers, whether they pose an increased safety risk or how to inform the development of new evidence-based preventive strategies. This study represents the starting point for addressing these issues by exploring differences in crash characteristics and injury outcomes in older and middle aged driver groups. Two sets of data in the United States (i.e., Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System) were used to analyze trends and compare truck drivers aged 60 years and older to their younger counterparts (i.e., 27–50 year olds). The results of this study both support and refute previous research. No differences were identified in crash outcomes and characteristics between older and middle aged truck drivers, representing a departure from previous research conducted with non-professional drivers. Furthermore, older drivers were found to display some safer driver behaviors (i.e., safety belt and alcohol use) compared with middle aged drivers. The results support the need for future research in this area and countermeasures that leverage the knowledge and experience of older truck drivers in managing safety in the transportation industry.