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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER

Accident Analysis of Older Drivers at Intersections

Publication Information

Publication Number:
FHWA-RD-94-021
Abstract:

This study examined intersection crashes involving elderly drivers in Illinois and Minnesota. For all of the analyses, comparisons were made among a "young elderly" group (ages 65 to 74), an "old elderly" group (age 75 and older), and a middle-aged comparison group (ages 30 to 50). The analyses indicated that both the "young elderly" (ages 65 to 74) and the "old elderly" (age 75 and older) appear to have problems at intersections. These problems often involve left-turning maneuvers at signalized intersections and turning or "entering" maneuvers at stop-controlled intersections. An analysis of angle and turning crashes involving one elderly driver and one younger driver revealed that elderly drivers were more likely to be cited for "failure to yield" and less likely to have exhibited "no improper driving." These problems experienced by elderly drivers involved in crashes may result from difficulties in distinguishing target vehicles from surrounding clutter, judging closing speeds of target vehicles, and/or an inability to utilize what would be considered "safe gaps" for younger drivers.

Publishing Date:
February 1995
Publishing Office:
Office of Safety Research and Development
FHWA Program(s):
Safety
Research
Human Factors
AMRP Program(s):
Safety Data and Analysis
FHWA Activities:
Highway Safety Information System
Subject Area:
Safety and Human Factors