However, older drivers are more likely than younger drivers, to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at road junctions. They are also more likely than younger drivers to be seriously injured in a crash because their bodies are simply less able to withstand an impact. Factors that contribute to the accident involvement of older drivers relate to the physical changes associated with the ageing process. The physiological changes can affect vision, hearing and physical mobility. As people age, their ability to process information declines in terms of capacity and speed of thought.
Older drivers are therefore more at risk in certain situations i.e. crossing a road junction.
However, with the increase in the ageing population is an increase in the number of older drivers, which means that the mobility needs of older people wil become even more important in the future. A report by the Federal office Of Road Safety Australia, shows an interesting comparison of the difference in accident statistics involving men and women drivers. It shows for example, hospitalisation crashes involving younger drivers and male drivers are more typically single vehicle or head-on crashes, occurring at night or on weekends, often involving alcohol. On the other hand, crashes involving older drivers or female drivers, are more typically crashes at road junctions in lower speed limit areas, occurring during the day and on weekdays and not generally involving alcohol. For both men and women, the rates of death and injury were highest for the youngest and oldest drivers.