The Effect of Driver Age on Traffic Accidents

There have been numerous publications on the frequency and severity of traffic accidents as effected by age. This is a recent review of the current findings.

While very old drivers have increased accident rates, the impact of their accident rate on the society is small, because they drive very short distances and thus the total number of accidents in which they are involved is low. To improve the traffic accident situation the main effort has to aim the young drivers. Due to their alcohol consumption prior to driving, their reluctance to wear seat belts and the high mileage they drive, they are one of the main causes of the high accident rates. Driver education programs aimed to improve driving skill have minimal effect on accident rates. However, driver education and law enforcement programs aimed at reducing the consumption of alcohol prior to driving and encourage the usage of seat belts could contribute to a decrease in accident rates.