OVERVIEW OF OLDER DRIVER SAFETY

The number of older driver crashes is not currently a major road safety problem in Australia, although these road users are over-represented in severe injury outcome rates. Moreover, with population and mobility changes expected over the next 30 or 40 years, the older driver problem is likely to increase substantially without intervention. A review was undertaken of existing literature reviews, other published and unpublished literature and other sources to identify what are the key older driver issues, what is currently known and unknown about older driver safety, and areas requiring further research and safety management. An expert panel was then formed to prioritise these issues. This paper identifies a number of key health, licensing and mobility issues relevant to older drivers and research and management topics requiring further consideration. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no. E200232.