Factors Affecting Fatal Crash Involvement of Older Drivers in the U.S.

Factors Affecting Fatal Crash Involvement of Older Drivers in the U.S. PDF Author: Abhiteja Rallabandi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Rapid increases are estimated in the percentage of elderly among the U.S. population starting in 2010. A majority of the older Americans depend on automobiles to meet their transportation needs either because of lack of public transportation or by choice. Ninety percent of total trips made by the elderly are by personal vehicle and seventy percent of this number involves the elderly driving the vehicles. However due to the aging process, older drivers experience a natural decline in sensory, cognitive, and other mental and physical capabilities as compared to younger drivers. This situation, combined with an imperfect highway infrastructure is making older drivers one of the most critical groups in terms of highway safety, thus demanding safer driving conditions. Safety concern for older drivers arises when the fatality rate per mile driven is considered, as exposure is one of the crucial factors contributing to increased fatality risk of older drivers. Hence, exposure reported in Billion Vehicle Miles Traveled (BVMT) was considered for this study. Crash data and exposure data were used to compute the fatality rates. Sources for this data are the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and National Household Travel Survey (NHTS). A basic characteristics study was completed to compare the fatality risk of younger (16-24 yrs), middle-aged (25-64 yrs), and older drivers (65+ yrs). Crash details were screened to study the characteristics of older drivers involved in fatal crashes. Risk for older drivers due to other involved drivers of all ages divided into groups was studied to understand their distribution. A number of statistical methods like the chi-square test of independence, odds ratio and double paired comparison estimates were applied to study contributing factors of older driver's increased fatal crash involvement. Results from the characteristics study for the elderly indicate that a majority of fatal crashes occur under daylight conditions with relatively higher seatbelt usage and non-alcoholic driving on straight level roads, which are generally considered as safer driving conditions. Other factors studied include vehicle-related variables like body type; manner of collision; roadway-related variables like roadway function class, month of the crash, and day of the week; and driver-related variables like race. Roadway functional class, vehicle body type, travel speed, number of drunk drivers, and the month in which the fatality occurred were found to have strong correlation with age of the older driver. Results from paired comparisons were used to estimate the fatality risk of older occupants as drivers and passengers under two different conditions considered simultaneously. Older drivers were found to have more fatality risk compared to older passengers. Recommended measures are also discussed to enhance older driver safety in the U.S.

Factors Affecting Fatal Crash Involvement of Older Drivers in the U.S.

Factors Affecting Fatal Crash Involvement of Older Drivers in the U.S. PDF Author: Abhiteja Rallabandi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Rapid increases are estimated in the percentage of elderly among the U.S. population starting in 2010. A majority of the older Americans depend on automobiles to meet their transportation needs either because of lack of public transportation or by choice. Ninety percent of total trips made by the elderly are by personal vehicle and seventy percent of this number involves the elderly driving the vehicles. However due to the aging process, older drivers experience a natural decline in sensory, cognitive, and other mental and physical capabilities as compared to younger drivers. This situation, combined with an imperfect highway infrastructure is making older drivers one of the most critical groups in terms of highway safety, thus demanding safer driving conditions. Safety concern for older drivers arises when the fatality rate per mile driven is considered, as exposure is one of the crucial factors contributing to increased fatality risk of older drivers. Hence, exposure reported in Billion Vehicle Miles Traveled (BVMT) was considered for this study. Crash data and exposure data were used to compute the fatality rates. Sources for this data are the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and National Household Travel Survey (NHTS). A basic characteristics study was completed to compare the fatality risk of younger (16-24 yrs), middle-aged (25-64 yrs), and older drivers (65+ yrs). Crash details were screened to study the characteristics of older drivers involved in fatal crashes. Risk for older drivers due to other involved drivers of all ages divided into groups was studied to understand their distribution. A number of statistical methods like the chi-square test of independence, odds ratio and double paired comparison estimates were applied to study contributing factors of older driver's increased fatal crash involvement. Results from the characteristics study for the elderly indicate that a majority of fatal crashes occur under daylight conditions with relatively higher seatbelt usage and non-alcoholic driving on straight level roads, which are generally considered as safer driving conditions. Other factors studied include vehicle-related variables like body type; manner of collision; roadway-related variables like roadway function class, month of the crash, and day of the week; and driver-related variables like race. Roadway functional class, vehicle body type, travel speed, number of drunk drivers, and the month in which the fatality occurred were found to have strong correlation with age of the older driver. Results from paired comparisons were used to estimate the fatality risk of older occupants as drivers and passengers under two different conditions considered simultaneously. Older drivers were found to have more fatality risk compared to older passengers. Recommended measures are also discussed to enhance older driver safety in the U.S.

Identifying Behaviors and Situations Associated with Increased Crash Risk for Older Drivers

Identifying Behaviors and Situations Associated with Increased Crash Risk for Older Drivers PDF Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437932738
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description


Older Drivers

Older Drivers PDF Author: Ezio C. Cerrelli
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description


Estimating the Accident Risk of Older Drivers

Estimating the Accident Risk of Older Drivers PDF Author: David S. Loughran
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833041398
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
As the U.S. population ages, so will the population of licensed drivers. Policymakers are concerned that this will lead to increases in traffic accidents and, consequently, injury to property and person. This report investigates how this aging will likely affect traffic safety.

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Fatal Intersection Crashes Involving Older Drivers in the Midwest

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Fatal Intersection Crashes Involving Older Drivers in the Midwest PDF Author: Abdulaziz Hebni Alshehri
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Motor vehicles are the primary source of transportation in the United States. While this is true for any age group, the older population tend to rely more heavily on automobiles because of easy access and availability, compared to public transportation even when it is available. Older drivers aged 65 years and older are more vulnerable to fatal crashes due to cognitive impairments and frailty. When older drivers are involved in crashes, they sustain higher injury severities compared to younger drivers. One location where older driver experience higher crash risk is intersection, due to the complexity of the situation involving multiple tasks and movements. The objectives of this study were to determine risk factors associated with intersection-related crashes involving older drivers in the Midwestern states and to provide countermeasure ideas to improve safety. Five-year fatal crash data from 2014 to 2018 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database were utilized, and statistical analysis was carried out to identify characteristics of fatal crashes involving older drivers and risk factors associated with intersection crashes among this age group. Three separate binary logistic regression models were developed to identify statistically significant predictor variables. First model represents older drivers who are involved in fatal single-vehicle crashes. Second model represents fatal multi-vehicle crashes involving at least one older driver, whereas the third model represents fatal single-vehicle crashes involving drivers younger than 65 years for comparison purposes. The dependent variable is whether a fatal crash occurs at an intersection location or not. Many independent variables that include various crash, driver, vehicle, and environmental factors were considered. By considering a 95 percent confidence level, odds ratios were estimated and used to identify relative risk factors of fatal intersection crashes. Analysis showed that controlled intersections, two-way undivided highways, and roads with posted speed limits less than 55 mph increased the risk of fatal single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes for older drivers. Fatal single-vehicle crashes were especially prevalent for these drivers. Factors such as urban roadways, driver age older than 75 years, nighttime driving, and speeding increased the risk of single-vehicle fatal intersection crashes, while turning movements and intersecting paths, straight and level roadways, two-lanes highway, and violation of roadway rules increased the risk of multi-vehicle fatal intersection crashes for older drivers. Single-vehicle fatal intersection crash analysis also showed that controlled intersections, two-way undivided highways, roads with posted speed limits less than 55 mph, urban roadways, speeding, nighttime driving, and fixed objects increased the risk of intersection-related fatal single-vehicle crashes, especially for older drivers. However, factors such as straight and level roadways, impaired driving, driver obesity, and the operation of recreation vehicles, buses, or motorcycles increased the risk of single-vehicle fatal intersection crashes for drivers in other age categories. Based on model results, countermeasure ideas to improve the safety of older drivers at intersections as well as other road users were identified. Among suggested ideas, improving intersections designs to accommodate older driver needs is recommended, such as implementing roundabouts when it is appropriate, reach minimum of 75-degree skew angel at intersection, providing protected left turn signals, flashing yellow arrow, restricted crossing U-turn, median U-turn, using rumble stripes along the side of roadway and median, providing transverse rumble strips (TRS) at intersections, improving roadway lighting, signs and markings at intersections and interchanges, implementing roadway diet, enhancing roadway signs and retroreflective delineation, providing cable, guardrail, or concrete barriers, implementing continuous raised-curb medians, enhancing lane drop marking on interchanges, providing acceleration and deceleration lane for merging and diverging locations, providing fixed or portable changeable message signs, enhancing high friction surface treatments on risk prone locations, increasing contrast markings on concrete pavement. Beside the engineering countermeasures, using newer vehicles that equipped with many safety features is advisable to enhance older and other drivers' safety. In addition, older driver license renewal may be modified to be required yearly to overcome early signs of fatigue or cognitive decline to reduce fatal crash risks and enhance safety. Therefore, the results and suggested countermeasures can provide guidance to improve safety of older drivers and other road users.

Highway Safety

Highway Safety PDF Author: U S Government Accountability Office (G
Publisher: BiblioGov
ISBN: 9781289039288
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the factors that contribute to vehicular crashes, focusing on: (1) drivers' age, gender, and driving history; and (2) vehicle size and age. GAO found that: (1) driver characteristics far outweigh vehicle factors in predicting vehicular crashes; (2) drivers who are younger, male, and have a history of traffic violations, particularly alcohol violations, are more likely to be involved in single-vehicle crashes; (3) drivers 65 and older are the second most likely group to be involved in crashes; (4) older vehicles are slightly more at risk for crash involvement, but other factors that are linked to vehicle age may also play a part in older cars' involvement in crashes; (5) light cars are three times more likely to be involved in single-vehicle rollover crashes than heavy cars; (6) a car's wheel-base or engine size is a better predictor of crash involvement; and (7) light trucks and vans show a similar crash-involvement pattern except that driver gender is generally not a significant factor in predicting light truck and van crashes.

Older Drivers

Older Drivers PDF Author: Matthew R. J. Baldock
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781920947149
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description


Identifying Behaviors and Situations Associated with Increased Crash Risk for Older Drivers

Identifying Behaviors and Situations Associated with Increased Crash Risk for Older Drivers PDF Author: Jane C. Stutts
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
This report reviews published literature and analyzes the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and National Automotive Sampling System (NASS)/General Estimates System (GES) data to identify specific driving behaviors (performance errors), and combinations of driver, vehicle, and roadway/environmental characteristics associated with increased crash involvement by older drivers. The analyses reveal, in considerable detail, the contemporary (2002-2006) crash experience of older drivers on streets and highways in the United States. The over- and under-involvement of drivers ages 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ in various crash types has been highlighted through tabular summaries, graphs, and accompanying discussion. For subsets of the two-vehicle crash data within each national database, crash involvement ratios based on comparisons of at-fault to not-at-fault drivers within groups of drivers from 20 to 80 and older, segregated in 10-year cohorts, provide further exposure-adjusted estimates of the magnitude of particular risk factors.

Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians

Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians PDF Author: L. K. Staplin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description


Crash Risks and Safety Issues Among Older Drivers

Crash Risks and Safety Issues Among Older Drivers PDF Author: William E. Madsen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781612093482
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book examines driver, vehicle, roadway and environmental characteristics associated with increased crash involvement by older drivers. Project activities were designed to prioritise the situations causing problems for older drivers based on the magnitude of the crash problem, older driver's degree of over-representation, the likelihood of serious injury, or other criteria of interest. The resulting list of the most problematic situations frame further discussions of how age-related functional decline can mediate increased crash risk for older drivers, and hopefully, point to potential countermeasures for lowering this risk.