A status report published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on June 19 reports that the rate of fatal crashes per licensed driver aged 70 and older declined between 1997 - 2008. The rate of less severe crashes reported to law enforcement during the time period also decreased.
These unanticipated declines are particularly noteworthy considering the proportion of the US population aged 65 and older is growing. IIHS researchers also found a 34% decline in injury crash rates among drivers aged 80 and older between 1997 - 2005 -- compared to a decline of 16% for drivers aged 35 - 54.
What factors may have influenced these trends? According to the IIHS study, older drivers may be "policing" themselves; in other words, they may be deciding to stop driving when they believe they can no longer do so safely. Another possible factor discussed in the report is that states can impose restrictions on drivers as they age. The study reports that as of May 2010, 18 states have shortened license renewal periods; nine states require vision tests for older drivers at each renewal; two states require road tests; and seven states require older drivers to renew their license in person.
The Institute notes that improvements in older people's physical conditioning and health could be reducing their risk of crashing, as well as increasing their chances of survival in the event they do crash. "Seniors are less likely to get into police-reported crashes in the first place, and they're less likely to die from their injuries when they do crash. This isn't what we expected, given older driver demographics and other influences," said Anne McCartt, IIHS Senior Vice President for Research and an author of this recent report.
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