Older drivers are a growing and particularly vulnerable population. Advances in vehicle safety may reduce the risk of death in the event of a motor vehicle crash (MVC). Although previous studies have identified a relationship between increasing model years and decreased risk of death in MVC among adult drivers, this relationship has not been quantified among older drivers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vehicle model year and the risk of death among drivers aged 65 years and older who were involved in MVCs in the United States from 2010 to 2015. Data were from a census of all fatal MVCs and a representative sample of all police-reported crashes nationwide. Drivers were stratified into five age groups (65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85+). Vehicles examined were cars, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, and vans. Overall, older drivers driving vehicles older than model year 1990 were more than twice as likely to be killed in a crash as individuals driving vehicles of model years 2000 to 2009. Older drivers driving vehicles of model years 2010 and newer had 46% lower risk of MVC death than those driving vehicles of model year 2000 to 2009. The relationship between vehicle model year and risk of death in a crash varied by driver age and vehicle type, however, the same overall patterns were observed for all age groups and vehicle types examined. These findings suggest that older adults are responsive to improvements in vehicle safety.
Newer Model Years Are Associated with Reduced Risk of Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities among Older Drivers
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board ; 2672 , 33 ; 101-108
09.09.2018
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Reducing Injuries and Fatalities to Older Drivers: Vehicle Concepts
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|Projecting fatalities in crashes involving older drivers
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
|Young drivers—Reduced crash risk with passengers in the vehicle
Online Contents | 2008
|Young drivers—Reduced crash risk with passengers in the vehicle
Online Contents | 2008
|