Elderly drivers

In developed nations, driving symbolizes freedom, independence and even sustenance. Europe, with around 60% of its 300 million population holding driver’s licenses, is a great example of that. However, despite the numerous missions and actions for increasing road safety, the world faces a concerning reality: over 1.2 million global road fatalities and 20-50 million injuries occur yearly, incurring substantial social and economic costs. Predictions even suggest road injuries will climb from the tenth to fifth leading cause of death by 2030 due to factors like urbanization, motorization, and an aging driver population. 

And there is one specific group of drivers that seems to be at highest risk of being affected by these changes. Specifically, over the period 2010-2018, the number of road victims in aged 65 and over rose by 2% compared to a significant decline of fatalities among the 18-24 age-group by 43%. The average age of road traffic victims in the EU is also increasing: elderly people aged 65 and over accounted for 28% of total fatalities in 2018 compared with 22% in 2010.

Due to the effect on functional skills, aging appears to be associated with decreased driving skills and increased traffic accidents. Finding ways on how to prolong independence while increasing driving safety can be challenging but is crucial, revealing a need for innovative solutions in assessing fitness to drive amidst these mobility challenges.