Crash Rates and Traffic Violations

On average, older drivers actually have fewer crashes per year than do younger drivers. However, because they drive fewer miles than younger drivers do, older drivers average more crashes per mile driven. Crash rates begin to increase after about age 70, and they increase more rapidly after age 80. For every mile driven, older drivers have higher rates of traffic violations, crashes, and fatalities than do all other age groups over age 25.

Failure to yield right-of-way is one of the more common traffic violations committed by older drivers. Also, older drivers have more difficulty merging into traffic and may have problems at intersections, particularly when making left turns. And yet older drivers are often more careful than younger drivers. Older drivers have fewer crashes during the evening, early morning, and inclement weather—possibly because they tend not to drive in these conditions. Moreover, alcohol is much less likely to be a factor in crashes involving older drivers. Older drivers are also less likely to have crashes while driving on curved roads or at high speeds. For older drivers, crashes are less likely to involve a single vehicle. Multiple vehicles are more likely to be involved.

In a motor vehicle crash, older drivers are more likely than younger drivers to be injured. Crashes involving older drivers are also more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities.