To mark National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 2-6, 2024), AAA Northeast is highlighting the rising number of fatal traffic crashes involving older drivers across the United States.
In 2022, the last year of available federal data, there were 7,870 fatal traffic crashes involving an older driver (aged 65+) – up 4.7% from 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Furthermore, 8,572 people were killed in crashes involving an older driver in 2022 – the highest number since at least 1975.
The rise in fatal crashes involving older drivers reflects the growing number of licensed drivers aged 65 or older nationwide: In 2022, there were around 51.5 million licensed older drivers – an increase of 15.6 million since 2012 and an increase of 23 million since 2002, according to the latest available data from the Federal Highway Administration.
AAA research shows that while seniors are less likely than their younger counterparts to engage in risky behaviors while driving, they’re at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured if a crash occurs.
“It’s important for seniors to stay active in their communities, but age-related changes may affect their driving ability,” said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations, AAA Northeast. “Families and caregivers can help seniors stay safe on the road by encouraging them to keep their driving skills sharp and having a conversation should any changes need to be made behind the wheel.”
AAA offers the following tips for senior drivers and their families:
- Review new technologies. Today’s new vehicles are often equipped with a variety of safety features, from lane keeping assistance to adaptive cruise control. Review your car’s manual or watch video tutorials to ensure you’re comfortable with how these systems work.
- Monitor your health. Variousmedical conditions, eyesight problems or memory issues can make driving more challenging, and some medications can impair driving ability. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist about your safety on the road given your unique medical history.
- Adjust your driving habits when necessary. Some seniors may only drive during the day, avoid highways or make three right turns instead of an unprotected left turn. Families should discuss the best strategies to keep an older driver safe behind the wheel.
- Wear your seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is the best protection you can give yourself in the event of a crash.
State-specific data:
- In Connecticut, there were 260 fatal crashes involving an older driver (aged 65+) from 2019 to 2023 – accounting for 18% of all fatal crashes during that time period, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository.
- There were approximately 590,000 licensed older drivers in Connecticut in 2022, an increase of 100,000 from 20 years ago.
- In Massachusetts, there were 413 fatal crashes involving an older driver (65+) from 2019 to 2023 – accounting for 22% of all fatal crashes during that time period (1,870) according to the Massachusetts IMPACT Crash Data Portal.
- There were approximately 1.07 million licensed older drivers in Massachusetts in 2022, an increase of 390,000 from 20 years ago.
- In New Jersey, there were 140 fatal crashes involving an older driver (65+) in 2021, the last year of available finalized data – accounting for 20% of all fatal crashes that year, according to Numetric.
- There were approximately 1.4 million licensed older drivers in New Jersey in 2022, an increase of 535,000 from 20 years ago.
- In New York, there were 204 fatal crashes involving an older driver (65+) in 2023 – accounting for 20% of all fatal crashes last year, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.
- There were approximately 2.8 million licensed older drivers in New York in 2022, an increase of 1.2 million from 20 years ago.
- There were approximately 177,000 licensed older drivers in Rhode Island in 2022, an increase of 65,000 from 20 years ago.
