Recent studies show the elderly are at higher risk of getting hit while on a sidewalk, versus while driving a car. Crash deaths in the United Kingdom were analyzed to show that pedestrians over the age of 70 were five times more likley to die from getting hit by a vehicle, compared to those between ages 21-29, but they have the same chances of getting in a fatal crash as a twenty-something.
“The focus is usually on older drivers as a danger to themselves and other drivers,” said Jonathan Rolison, who spearheaded the study. Although, the “Real issue isn’t really safeguarding older drivers, it’s making the road environment safer for pedestrians.” It is usually assumed the elderly are more dangerous behind the wheel of a car, however a recent study in the US showed that male drivers were of less risk if they are over 70 than if they were 40-years-old.
The study was conducted by pulling data from car accidents between 1989 and 2009. The results were similar for older and younger drivers. 13 in 100 million driving trips resulted in fatality for those under 29, while 14 in 100 milion trips involving adults over 70 were killed. The elderly also accounted to fewer roadway deaths. Of 1,138 deaths due to auto accidents in 2009, one in 10 was over 70, while one in 4 was younger. The risk is highest amongst younger and older age groups, and lowest amongst the middle-ages, according to news reports.
Once investigators began analyzing pedestrian deaths, they found that elderly people had a higher risk of fatal crashes than young. 23 trips in 100 million trips were fatal for the elderly. 37% of pedestrian deaths in 2009 were elderly individuals.
These results suggest that restricting older drivers is not necessarily a way to end deaths of elderly people. “Assessing whether older adults can drive is important, but the problem is it leads to policies which are becoming tighter and tighter and distract us from older adults at risk as pedestrians,” the researcher said. “Older adults in a way are the ideal drivers, as they control their exposure to risk⦠If it’s a rainy day, the older adults will stay at home, whereas people in middle age groups still have to go to work or drop kids off at school.” Attention should be directed towards keeping elderly pedestrians safe. “One of the big major points is that older drivers represent a small proportion of driver fatalities. They’re not going out there and causing major problems,” a researcher told Reuters Health. Focusing on safe pathways and pedestrian transportation is important, especially with the aging of baby boomers. The elderly are also more at risk of a fatal injury if they are hit. Cities should also add traffic islands and allow pedestrians more time to cross at crosswalks.
