Road Safety Authorities and non-government organizations place much focus on road safety and the younger generation – but often neglect the older road users. The group of elderly road users is getting increasingly larger and our road safety strategies should pay more attention to the possibilities and limitations of this group of road users.
In the coming decades, the number of elderly road users will increase considerably and so too their fatality rate in traffic. When involved in traffic crashes the risk of severe injury is considerably higher because of their physical vulnerability.
We need to discuss road safety and the risks to older people and recommend measures to enhance the safety of these road users!
Facts and Numbers
As the elderly are less agile and resilient, the likelihood of being killed as a pedestrian is more than twice that for younger adults
Every fifth person killed on roads in Europe is aged 65 or over - it is estimated that by 2050 one death out of three will be an elderly person, if their safety level does not improve.
The elderly are more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash. The fatality rate of the 65-74 year olds is about twice that of the 30-64 year olds. The fatality rate even is eight times higher for the over-75s.
With the same impact force, the death rate is approximately three times higher for a 75 year old motor vehicle occupant than for an 18 year old. The physical vulnerability has the severest consequences during 'unprotected' journeys such as walking and cycling.
Older drivers find it more difficult to judge the speed and intentions of other drivers. From the age of around 45 most of us need glasses to see well either at a distance, close up or for both. For example, by around the age of 60 our eyes will normally require three times more light to see as well as when we were aged 20.
The fatality rate of elderly drivers is considerably lower than that of elderly cyclists and pedestrians.
The death rate is particularly high for elderly cyclists
Who do we regard as elderly / old road users?
This is not something to be judged with reference to an exact number of years and days!
We often refer to the elderly road users as people of 65 years and older.
Rigid age boundaries do not take into consideration the fact that ageing is a process that does not start at the same age for each and every individual, nor does it progress at the same pace.
We need to acknowledge that there are large differences in driving skills between people of the same age, as well as in their physical and mental abilities.
Some 85 year olds are in better shape than certain 40 year olds.
Factors contributing to risk level of older road users
Why does the older age group pose a significant road safety risk? Are there specific factors that impact on their safety? The road safety of elderly road users is determined by two factors: functional limitations and physical vulnerability.
Functional limitations
Functional limitations are those factors that determine why they are more likely to be involved in a crash. These can be summarized as follows:
Ageing is most likely accompanied by the slowing down of observation, decision making, and movement processes, and a decreased capacity to carry out more than one task simultaneously.
Ageing also manifests in a decline or slowing down of movements, a decline in muscle strength, a decline in the finely tuned coordination, and a particularly strong decline in the ability to adapt to sudden changes in bodily position.
In traffic where there is pressure of time and the necessity of dividing one's attention, this can have negative road safety consequences.
There is a high demand of motor functions and sensory, perceptual and cognitive actions in activities such as walking and cycling
Sudden movements more rapidly cause loss of balance and falling among the elderly.
Functional limitations do not automatically cause unsafe traffic behaviour as older road users compensate through other characteristics, such as insight in their limitations, experience and changes in behaviour.
Increased Physical Vulnerability
The increased physical vulnerability brought about by ageing contributes to crashes having a worse outcome for the elderly.
Increased physical vulnerability, like for instance osteoporosis, is the result of biological processes which makes people more sensitive to external forces, such as a crash.
The physical vulnerability has the most severe consequences for unprotected modes of transport such as walking and cycling.
Physical vulnerability also influences the injury severity of drivers.
Characteristics of driving behavior from the elderly / Older Road User
Letting go of their vehicles is often a traumatic experience for the elderly – seen as a farewell to part of their social lives. Not all the elderly pose a disproportional danger to other road users. They are more often severely injured themselves (killed or hospitalized) in a collision with other motorists than that they, as motorist, cause severe injury to other road user (drivers or other types of road user).
The elderly often compensate through their driving behavior:
They benefit from the insight into their own limitations and driving experience
They compensate by driving when the roads are less busy
Studies have shown that the elderly more often choose to drive during daytime and dry weather.
The elderly on average have a great deal of driving experience which gives them the ability to anticipate on possible problematic situations.
They display a diminishing desire for excitement and sensation when getting older.
They will less often drink-drive than younger adults and generally obey the traffic rules more often
Road Safety Measures aimed at improving safety
Family involvement:
Family members and physicians should be proactive in ensuring the safety of their loved ones on the road, especially if they are afflicted or impaired with a condition that may hinder driving abilities.
Friends should flag a friend who might be driving unsafely and pose a risk to other road users
Family members might be in the best position to convince the elderly to go for a medical assessment and check on the important physical abilities required for driving
Road Infrastructure:
Authorities must provide public transport alternatives and general infrastructure improvements to serve the mobility needs of the senior citizens
New development should allow the elderly to use their experience and existing automatisms
This could allow complex tasks to be performed in parts (e.g. crossing the road in phases), in which the elderly can repeatedly view the situation from a safe place and themselves can determine how to deal with time pressure
Important infrastructure features stand out by means of good lighting and markings rich in contrast.
Improvements could include better pedestrian crossing facilities, signals and markings – provision of longer walk phases, provision of tactile paving, provision of good quality surfaces and avoidance of abrupt changes in level and steep inclines, introduction of a leading pedestrian interval, unambiguous ‘WALK’ and ‘DON’T WALK’ signs etc
Barrier fencing, guardrails or other aesthetic restrictions in shopping areas where there is high conflict between vehicles and pedestrians should allow access to the road only at formal crossing points etc.
Car-free pedestrian zones and traffic calming treatments could be designed to re-direct or slow traffic in residential areas and in town centres where there is high pedestrian activity.
Vehicle Manufacturers:
Car manufacturers are developing vehicles with a focus on older drivers’ limitations, physical vulnerability and requirements.
Protection devices such as helmets for cyclists and (light-)moped riders, and seatbelts and (side) airbags for motorists, can limit injury severity.
Technical adaptations available include servo-assisted steering, an automatic gearbox, and adjustments of the power needed to press down the brake and/or acceleration pedal.
These are systems that offer specific support for motor functional limitations, such as the decline in muscular strength.
More Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are becoming available which can assist the elderly motorist with functional limitations of vision, attention, and information processing. Examples are systems that warn about other vehicles simultaneously approaching an intersection, systems that help when merging or changing lane, and systems that project the relevant traffic signs and warnings
Education:
Education can include programs to encourage people to walk and training people to walk safely.
Education should be focused on altering human behaviour and attitudes.
Road safety programs could promote safe walking practices along with training in judging speed and distances of approaching vehicles, making appropriate decisions in complex traffic environments
Education and information meetings are important to inform the elderly about the functional limitations that go with aging, and the aids available to continue driving a car safely for as long as possible.
These meetings could offer an opportunity to educate about changes in traffic situations and rules, and about problem situations that they could come across and how to deal with them best.
Road Safety Advice for the Elderly Road User
What advice can we offer to our elderly road users?
Older pedestrian crashes, on the other hand, tend to occur on a regular trip, often close to home or at shopping centres or recreational venues. Crash patterns identified are:
They occur during daylight hours and mostly in urban areas
They occur at intersections, particularly those without traffic signals
They are often linked with reduced agility – older adults are less able to get out of the way of oncoming vehicles
Many occur in complex road environments such as on undivided roads, on a roadway in a busy location, and when vehicles are reversing.
Most common types of crashes were reversals, where the pedestrian expected the driver to stop or alter their course, where the pedestrian thought the vehicle was not moving, and where the vehicle came behind a corner or parked car.
Errors in judgement include judgement of when to cross the road safely, judgement of the speed or course of the vehicle and unwarranted expectancies about the behaviour of drivers.
Road Safety recommendations to older pedestrians are:
Be aware of your physical limitations
Plan your day - avoid busy traffic times
Cross where you can see clearly
Avoid distractions such as talking to others, cellular phones etc
Use pedestrian crossing places if you can
Be careful crossing between parked cars
Make sure drivers can see you - wear something bright.
Road Safety recommendations to older drivers:
Recognize that many traffic changes have occurred and there is increased heavy traffic and congestion on the roads.
Take extra care at night or in bad weather – and try to avoid driving at these times if possible.
Plan ahead – This will reduce stress levels – and planning the route in advance will help the driver cope better with the journey ahead.
Traveling is tiring and drowsiness and tiredness can lead to accidents.
Pamper yourselves by taking frequent breaks during their journey.
Check with your doctor or chemist about the effects of any prescribed or purchased medicines as they can affect driving.
Conclusion
May we not neglect our elderly road users and strive to address their road safety needs!
Road Accidents and Personal Accident Insurance and Benefits
Road crashes have a significant impact on the lives of South Africans. With so many accidents on our roads it is important to guard against the consequences of these accidents to family members and loved ones of accident victims. Too often do we hear of the hardship and trauma left behind with a spouse or family member when someone is killed or injured in a road accident!
Personal accident insurance is an insurance product to financially cover you, your family, partners or business associates in the case of injury, permanent disability or death caused by an accident. Should an unforeseen violent or accidental incident occur, this will ensure that you or those left behind are compensated. Personal accident insurance is available on both an individual basis or, for businesses, on a group basis. No matter where in the world they are, beneficiaries can be compensated.
With South Africa discovered as a prominent tourist destination, there is also a need for an insurance product that will cover tourists travelling on South Africa’s roads at the time of an accident. Personal accident insurance is the appropriate cover to have in place for these travellers.
Payments from personal accident insurance are made in addition to any benefits that may be obtained from the RAF, the Compensation Fund, or a retirement fund.
Why consider Personal Accident Insurance? /Effect of RAF changes
Most accidents can be attributed to human error and factors such as aggressive and negligent driver behaviour, non-adherence to traffic rules as well as poor road conditions. We share the roads with many unlicensed drivers and face many road risks we can do little to prevent.
Being a victim of an accident can be devastating enough without having to worry about the financial implications of such an accident. The medical costs alone can be crippling. You may lose a limb or partially lose your eye sight in an accident, with added medical bills and on-going treatment which can become very expensive. You may require physical therapy or need to alter your home to accommodate your injury.
By acquiring accident cover you are making such an incident easier to deal with by reducing the financial implications of such an event. It is important to consider accident cover as part of your overall insurance package.
Should you die as a result of an accident your beneficiaries will be paid out an additional sum as death cover. Should you be injured as a result of an accident you will be paid out a lump sum. Even if the injury is not completely devastating you will still receive a portion of your payout to cover costs. This refers to personal accident injuries leading to loss of hearing in an ear, losing a limb, partial loss of sight etc
The Road Accident Fund and Additional Accident Cover
In response to significant risk exposure presented to road users in South Africa as a result of the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill, some insurers have designed tailor made Personal Accident Insurance Policies.
As the law stands at the moment in South Africa, the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill (RAF Act) has effectively removed the common law right of an injured person (passenger/tourist/guest) to sue the wrongdoer (driver/operator), which means that following a motor vehicle accident a severely injured road user will only receive a maximum of R160 000 in compensation from the RAF and will have no right to recourse against the wrongdoer.
There is now a significant reduction in the amount of expenses that may be claimed for loss of earnings and for medical expenses. It is said that the onus has now been placed on individuals to obtain sufficient personal accident disability cover, which they will need to do through the private sector.
What are the Accident Benefits?
How do we explain the essence of Personal Accident cover?
Accident cover will benefit you in two ways:
Death: If you die in an accident or as a result of violence, your beneficiaries or your estate will receive an additional amount as death cover. Accidental death has been described as death caused by accident, violent, external and visible means.
Injury: If you suffer an injury as a result of an accident, a lump sum will be paid out to you. Even if the loss is not completely devastating - say, for instance, you lose hearing in one ear - you will still receive a percentage of the sum insured
Accidental death can be described as the direct consequence of the following:
An injury caused by an accident that is clearly visible on the outer part of the body, or internal body injuries as confirmed by an autopsy as the cause of death.
An illness or body infection as a direct result of an accidental injury as described above, commencing within 30 days of suffering the injury in an accident.
Drowning that resulted from an accident.
An Accidental Death Benefit can be added to an insurance policy as an additional benefit—it is in addition to the policy’s basic death benefit—should death result from an accident. Accidental death insurance cover will pay out in the event of accidental death or permanent disablement. The benefit is paid out as a lump sum to a selected beneficiary. There is no medical testing required to obtain accidental death cover and it usually covers all types of accidents.
We often only consider motor vehicle accidents - but accidents happen in many ways. You can also get hurt at home or at work. You could lose an arm or a leg, your eyesight or your hearing. Some products cover the loss, or the loss of use, of limbs, hearing and sight etc
Benefits might include:
Permanent loss of a hand or foot
Permanent total loss of sight in one or both eyes
Permanent total loss of hearing in both ears
Permanent total loss of hearing in one ear
Permanent total loss of speech
Loss of all toes on one foot
Loss of four fingers / a thumb, index finger etc
With the loss of limbs different percentages of the sum insured may be calculated and compensation paid.
Car rental and Personal Accident Insurance
Car Rental companies have recognized the importance of Personal Accident Insurance and provide a variety of insurance products to their clients. In the event of an accident, various waivers are available to reduce damage costs and potential liability in the event of an accident. While these waivers cover the vehicle, any hospitalisation or other medical expenses incurred are excluded.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) not only gives peace of mind when driving, but may also ensure that a team of medical experts and experienced emergency response teams provide the best treatment at available private hospitals.
Rental companies provide the insurance products with a variety of benefits, including:
Death benefit
Repatriation - medical-assisted repatriation to the patients place of residence
Repatriation of mortal remains to the town of residence
Medical expenses & Medical advice
Accident support & emergency dispatch of response vehicle or ambulance\
Inter-hospital basic and intensive-care transfers
Air-ambulance transfers to the dispatch of emergency medicines or blood
Help for stranded minors
Emotional support and counselling
How much Insurance do I need?
All drivers have different personal circumstances and needs. You might need to ask the following questions when acquiring Personal Accident Insurance:
How many dependants do I have? These are the people who fully or partially rely on you for support and care.
What type of lifestyle do I want to provide for my family?
Does my spouse earn an income?
Would my working spouse be able to cope financially if I am no longer there?
How much outstanding debt do I have? (e.g., home loan, car instalments, credit card)
Can my children’s education be funded without my income?
Does my family have any special needs, such as caring for a disabled child?
Will my parents be financially independent? Is it possible that they may become dependent on me for support?
What are my financial needs? Are my other insurance needs covered sufficiently?
