Traffic - Older drivers are more often the main cause of accidents
If older drivers are involved in accidents resulting in personal injury, they are more often primarily to blame than younger drivers. This was reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. According to the statistics, people aged 65 and over were the main culprits in more than two thirds of these cases last year (69 percent). Among those aged 75 and over, the figure was as high as 77 percent. But the proportion is also quite high among young people: 18 to 20-year-olds were mainly responsible for 71 percent of accidents when they were behind the wheel of a car.
It is striking that the causes of accidents differ according to age: According to the data, drivers of senior age were proportionately more often accused of disregarding the right of way. Misconduct when turning, reversing, reversing into a lane or driving off was also more common than among younger drivers. In contrast, older people were much less likely to be accused of failing to keep a safe distance, driving at an inappropriate speed or driving under the influence of alcohol.
At the same time, older people are less likely to be involved in road accidents than younger people as a proportion of the total population. "The lower accident involvement is probably due in particular to the fact that older people are less likely than younger people to take part in road traffic, partly because they no longer drive to work," it said.
The statisticians also reported that around a third of all road fatalities last year were aged 65 or over. A total of 52,748 senior citizens were victims of road accidents, 1023 of whom were killed and 12,350 seriously injured. Overall, the proportion of older people among all accident victims was 15 percent, while the proportion of fatalities was considerably higher at 37 percent. "On average, older people suffer more severe accident consequences than younger people," it said. For example, 23 percent of older people involved in accidents were seriously injured, compared to only 15 percent of those under 65.
The statisticians also gave reasons for this on Monday: "On the one hand, this reflects the decline in physical resilience with increasing age," they said. On the other hand, older people are more likely to be unprotected pedestrians and are exposed to a greater risk of more serious injuries.
According to the data, the fact that older people drive less often is also reflected in the equipment of senior households: While 77 percent of households with main income earners aged 65 to 69 had at least one car last year, the figure was only 65 percent in the very old (80+) age group.
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Older drivers bearing the principal debt in traffic-related personal injury cases is less common than for younger drivers, as reported by Destatis in Wiesbaden. However, seniors aged 65 and above were responsible for over two-thirds (69%) of such cases last year, with this figure rising to 77% for those aged 75 and over. Conversely, young drivers between 18 and 20 were culpable in 71% of incidents when driving a car.
The EU and EU member states, including Germany, have recognized the importance of addressing senior driver safety. In Europe, efforts are underway to implement measures such as regular driver's license renewals and age-related driving tests to ensure the continued safety of older drivers and all road users.
European Consumer Centers have also played a role in addressing senior drivers' concerns, providing guidance on how to secure cheaper car insurance, as well as advocating for enhancements in car design to accommodate older drivers.
In the wake of senior road fatalities in the EU, EU officials have emphasized the need for improved road safety infrastructure and traffic management approaches, particularly in urban areas where older pedestrians are at increased risk of accidents.
As car ownership among senior households decreases with age, the need for accessible public transportation and safer walking paths becomes even more important in protecting senior health and wellbeing on European roads.
Furthermore, Destatis reported that seniors are more likely to be the victims of severe road accidents, with 23% suffering serious injuries compared to 15% of younger individuals involved in accidents, highlighting the need for training and resources focused on older drivers' safety.
Source: www.stern.de
