Road design and traffic operations guidelines to aid the older motorists

Studies in Europe and the United States indicate that between 60 and 70 per cent of people over 60 and approximately 30 per cent of those over 80 retain and use their driver's licence. Approaches discussed are designed to resolve the conflict between older people's desire to maintain their mobility and their decreased capabilities. This report focuses on making the highway more tolerant to the limitations of older drivers. It presents general information on older persons, considering special studies and existing engineering practices. Possible countermeasures to relieve the problems faced on highways and roads by older drivers are discussed. Research requirements relating to the needs and limitations of older drivers are identified. References are made to improvements to the roadway environment which can be made to assist all drivers but where older drivers will clearly benefit more than the younger drivers.