Risks to Older People in Road Traffic

Abstract

Demographic forecasts show that by 2050 about 25% of Europe’s population will be 65 or older. Ageing society translates into older people using roads. An increasing number of older people are drivers, cyclists and pedestrians representing a potential increase in accident risk due to functional limitations. The article looks at road traffic risks and main trends from the perspective of older road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians). With a longer time to react, poor eyesight and hearing, impaired mobility, ill health and medication, older road users are put at risk. A comprehensive and pro-active strategy is needed to deal with these risk factors and meet the safety and mobility needs of older people in the (nearest) future. The strategy should focus on assessing the main trends and identifying the road traffic risks for older road users. It should also aim to implement treatments such as ITS and change how road infrastructure is designed today. The objective of the work is to identify the risks to older people in road traffic and develop recommendations on ways to improve the safety of this age group. A study of the literature helped to identify the risk factors faced by older road users. Statistical analyses were used to define the trends, causes and circumstances of accidents involving this age group in the EU and in Poland compared to the EU. The article identifies risks and classifies them for older drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Needs for universal road infrastructure design are identified (to ensure full accessibility for all age groups, including older people and people with disabilities) and ITS treatments are formulated. EU data shows that about 44% of all pedestrian fatalities are people aged 65 and older. This highlights the seriousness of the problem. With an increasing share of this age group in society and a lack of road treatments to improve the situation, the statistics may deteriorate even further. In Poland drivers aged 65 and older have caused 10% of all accidents involving 14% of all fatalities. Pedestrians in this age group have caused 6% of fatality accidents. The article defines and classifies risk factors in three groups: growing exposure to risk, growing accident risk (factors involving the user directly such as behaviour, illness, functional limitations) and growing accident severity (fatality and serious injury accidents).