Report: Older drivers more likely to die in crashes

By Julie Vallese
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Older drivers have a higher death rate than their younger counterparts because they are more likely to die from automobile crash injuries, not because they cause more accidents, according to an insurance industry report.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety researchers came to that conclusion in a report that says that people over age 65 have a higher death rate per capita than any other group.

"It's important to make travel safer for the seniors themselves, who are more frail and whose abilities may be reduced," said chief scientist Allan Williams.

The IIHS research found many seniors regulate or restrict their own driving. As people get older, they tend not to drive as often at night, avoid high traffic areas and times, and limit how far they are willing to drive in one trip.

RESOURCES Read the report on older drivers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The IIHS report estimates there will be about 70 million drivers over the age of 65 by the year 2030.

By its calculations, drivers over 65 will account for 16 percent of all crashes and 25 percent of crash fatalities.

As the population ages, the institute says it may be a time for changes on the roadways. That may mean simple changes such as making intersections four-way stops, increasing round roundabouts in neighborhoods, changing signal timing to a short all-red phase, and increasing walk signals.

While seniors are willing to make changes in their driving habits, a bigger project will be to get manufacturers to take seniors into consideration when designing cars.

John Eberhand, a study consultant, says manufacturers are going to have to think about car design for older drivers. Such changes include depowered airbags, changes in seatbelt design, adjustable pedals, and seat and steering wheel adjustment improvements.