Characteristics of traffic crashes among young, middle-aged, and older drivers

An overview of the characteristics of traffic crashes among young, middle-a ged and older drivers is presented. The results suggest that the youngest a nd the oldest drivers were more likely to be considered at-fault. With resp ect to crash characteristics, older drivels were less likely to have crashe s involving driver fatigue, during the evening and early morning, on curved roads, during adverse weather, involving a single vehicle, and while trave ling at high speeds. Conversely, older drivers were over-represented in cra shes at intersections and/or involving failure to yield the right of way, u nseen objects, and failure to heed stop signs or signals. Crashes occurring while turning and changing lanes were also more common among older drivers . Alcohol was less likely to be a factor in traffic crashes involving older adults. Synthesizing these results led to the conclusion that the primary problem with the young is risk-taking and lack of skill. The strength of ol der drivers lies in their aversion to risk, but perceptual problems and dif ficulty judging and responding to traffic flow often counterbalance this at tribute. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.