In cars, on bicycles, or as pedestrians: globally, elderly individuals are becoming
increasingly mobile and sometimes actively participate in road traffic in various ways
well into old age. This is associated with a significantly higher risk of fatal or serious
injury traffic accidents (MAIS3+) compared to younger individuals. Elderly people are
particularly exposed to high accident risks, especially as pedestrians and cyclists or ebike
riders. The number of accidents where no other road users are involved is
particularly high. This last aspect is strongly underestimated by statistical data.
Given the increased vulnerability with advancing age, due to reduced tolerance to
injuries and greater fragility, there is a higher risk of suffering more serious or fatal
injuries in the event of a traffic accident compared to younger individuals.
Problem size: about 30 percent of all road deaths in the EU in recent years have
involved the age group over 65, and among pedestrians and cyclists, the elderly have
accounted for about half of all road deaths. In the future, the situation could worsen
further in some regions of the world. For example, by 2050, one in four inhabitants in
Europe and North America will be 65 years or older.
However, mortality data alone do not adequately describe the problem. Data on the
severity of injuries (MAIS) are needed.
Risk factors: Road accidents involving elderly pedestrians and cyclists are influenced
by a variety of different factors. Therefore, in order to develop interventions to increase
the road safety of elderly pedestrians and cyclists, a highly differentiated approach is
necessary, taking these factors and their interactions into account.
Human factors play a significant role in traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians
and cyclists. An interdisciplinary approach involving the field of traffic psychology,
engineering, traffic medicine and other fields is essential to effectively address and
prevent these accidents. Combining insights from these fields can lead to more effective
strategies to enhance safety for elderly pedestrians and cyclists.
fwewanttotackletheproblemoftrafficaccidentspreventively,combiningdifferentapproachestosolutionsseemstobethemostconvenientway.Effectiveandefficientpolicecontrols,30km/hspeedlimitsinurbanareas,interventionsinroadinfrastructuretomakeitelderly-friendly,trafficcalming,specificdrivingassistancesystems,aswellasintegratedmobilityconceptsandotherinterventions.Theeffectivenessoftheseinterventionsmustberigorouslydocumented.Tomaketheimplementationoftheseinterventionspossiblebypolicymakers,anappropriateroadsafetycultureisnecessary.Withoutthis,itwillnotbepossibletoimplementunpopularmeasuressuchas30km/hspeedlimits.Itisalsoimportantforthemediatoprovidecorrectinformationaboutroadtrafficaccidentsintheircomplexityandnotlimitedtoafewspectacularroadaccidents.Otherwise,thereisariskthatthepopulationwilllacktheperceptionofa'problem'thatrequiresevenunpopularinterventionsand,therefore,thepressureonpolicymakerstotakeactionwillbeabsent.