What can crash data tell us about older drivers in North Dakota?

Older drivers are a growing segment in North Dakota's driver population. The natural aging process brings about diminished visual, cognitive, and physical skills needed for driving tasks. Crash record analysis was conducted to highlight elements that may be used to reduce risk for older drivers. Results show that older drivers are at relatively high risk for crash involvement and injury considering incidence ratios and travel exposure. Crash propensity, based on quasi-induced exposure measures, shows older drivers are also more likely to be at fault in these crashes. Among drivers 70 years and older, a significant increasing trend is found for driver error along with a confounding declining trend in driver evasive maneuver in crashes. The risk to other drivers is also a concern, since older driver crashes are nearly twice as likely to involve multiple vehicles. The ability to navigate these more complex driving scenarios, such as intersections and left turns, becomes increasingly problematic moving across older driver age groups. Older drivers require special consideration given their growing presence and crash injury propensity. Findings here may used in vetting a combination of education, engineering, policy, and enforcement measures that can be used to reduce older driver risk for crash injury and death both in terms of crash involvement and injury severity.