DriveSmartBC

Studies have shown that older drivers have high death rates and lower rates of involvement in crashes that kill others; but most studies have not considered drivers’ responsibility for their crashes, and many have considered only one particular measure of risk. Relative to other age groups, drivers aged 85 and older face the highest risk of their own death, whereas teens pose the greatest risk to passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and non-motorists. Principle Findings:

1. Drivers’ risks to themselves and to other road users decline rapidly until around age 25, continue declining gradually until ages of approximately 65 to 70, begin increasing again around age 70, and increase more rapidly after approximately age 75.
2. Relative to other age groups, drivers aged 85 and older have the highest rate of their own deaths by all measures considered; approximately two to three times that of 16- and 17- year-old drivers, depending on the measure.
3. Relative to other age groups, teenage drivers pose the greatest risks to their own passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and non-motorists by all measures considered.
4. Older drivers pose more risk to their passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and non motorists than the lowest-risk drivers do. The degree to which older drivers’ risk to these categories of road users is elevated depends upon whether risk is measured on a per driver, per-trip, or per-mile basis.

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