Accident; analysis and prevention
-
Comparative Study
Do age-based mandatory assessments reduce older drivers' risk to other road users?
To assess whether different licensing policies were associated with different fatality levels, the fatality outcomes of older drivers in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) were compared. In Victoria, there is no age-based assessment required for re-licensing, while in NSW, drivers aged 80 years and older are required to provide annual medical certificates and from age 85, are required to pass on-road driving tests. Fatality rates associated with older drivers in each jurisdiction were calculated for the main categories of road users on two bases: per number of target drivers and per number of licensed drivers. ⋯ However it was also found that Victorian older drivers had a significantly higher passenger occupancy rate than their NSW equivalents. Once Victorian and NSW older drivers' different passenger occupancy rates were controlled for, there were no statistically significant differences across the two jurisdictions. These findings collectively suggested that age-based mandatory assessment programs do not have demonstrable safety benefits, in terms of either total fatalities or other road user fatalities--thereby broadly confirming the findings from previous research based on older driver crash involvement.
-
With 2003 Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, we examined relationships among predictors of motor vehicle injury/fatality outcomes for younger (35-54 years) and older (65 years and older) drivers. Using the Precede-Proceed Model of Health Promotion as an organizing framework, we classified variables into person, vehicle and environment domains and conducted a multinomial logistic regression. Significant risk factors for older driver injuries were impact crashes at 1-3 o'clock (OR=1.65; CI: 1.05-2.59), 7-9 o'clock angles (OR=2.59; CI=1.45-4.63), and driving with one passenger (OR=2.25; CI: 1.58-3.20). ⋯ The 7-9 o'clock angle (OR=3.06; CI: 1.83-5.12), and driving in daylight hours were risk factors for fatality among older drivers. Many risk factors (e.g., female gender, non-seatbelt use, rollover crashes, and vehicle body type), and protective factors (e.g., number of lanes and non-airbag deployment) were relevant for younger and older drivers. Findings showed relevant factors for drivers from both age groups, with some pointing to older adults, and set the stage for further research to develop injury and fatality prevention programs.
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently recommend that, unless they are under 57in. in height, 8-12-year-old children use seat belts and all should ride in the rear seats of vehicles. These recommendations assume that the vehicle seat belt should provide adequate protection for these older children in the event of a crash. ⋯ Injuries to the head, face, abdomen and upper extremity are the most common injuries to target for improved protection among 8-12 year olds in seat belts. Driver and crash characteristics are important risk factors for injury. A recent federal motor vehicle safety standard requiring lap and shoulder belts in all rear seat positions has the potential to further decrease the risk of injury to older children using seat belts.