Motor Vehicle Crashes among the Older Population

Qi, Yan; Al Adib Sarker, Md; Imran, Mohiuddin; Pokhrel, Roshan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/108856 Copy

Description

Title

Motor Vehicle Crashes among the Older Population

Author(s)

• Qi, Yan
• Al Adib Sarker, Md
• Imran, Mohiuddin
• Pokhrel, Roshan

Issue Date

2020-10

Keyword(s)

• Older Population
• Motor Vehicle Crashes
• Severe Injuries
• Socioeconomic Characteristics
• Logistic Regression
• Hierarchical Linear Modelling
• Senior Driver Survey

Abstract

Adults aged 65 or older form a vulnerable population that is susceptible to road traffic injuries. Motor vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths for the older population. There has been an increasing trend in the percentage of fatalities involving older people among the total fatalities. As the older population continues to increase, agencies are facing more challenges in improving older people’s safety. Studies have examined the correlation of aging-related physical and medical conditions with crashes in the older population. However, research on how sociodemographic characteristics, driving exposure and habits, as well as physical and medical conditions are associated with older people’s crash risks in different roadway geometric, traffic operational, and environmental conditions has been extremely limited. The objectives of this project were to examine fatality and severe injury risks of motor vehicle crashes among older people, identify specific areas where crash risks may be mitigated, and make recommendations for improved safety while promoting mobility and independence among older people. The researchers conducted a literature review, statistical analyses of Illinois crash data and county-level socioeconomic data from 2011 to 2016, and a senior driver survey in Illinois. The study identified several roadway geometric, traffic operational, and environmental features that significantly affected older people’s severe injury risk. These include traffic control device, roadway alignment, light and surface condition, and vehicle defect. Household income, minority and uninsured populations, physician care availability, and prescription drug use were significantly associated with severe crashes or crash risk. Recommendations were made to mitigate motor vehicle injuries and enhance safety in the older population, including updating design guides, reviewing traffic control devices at high-crash locations, and fostering a safety culture. Joint efforts from multiple agencies are needed, as the safety of older people is not merely an engineering or a safety issue.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-20-011

ISSN

0197-9191

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108856

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/20-017

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-201

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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