Road design and maintenance standards : The needs of older drivers

The skills necessary for safe driving begin to deteriorate more rapidly at about age 55 years - the decline is much more dramatic over the age of 75 years. In particular, there is a decline in vision, the ability to be able to deal effectively and quickly with complex situations reduces, and physical decline makes the driving task more difficult. The paper draws on research carried out in 1988 by the Automobile Association Foundation for Road Safety Research, and research in the United States of America, into older drivers. It examines: 1) the forecasts of the older driver population of the future; 2) their physical and mental characteristics; 3) highway design deficiences that disadvantage older drivers; 4) the importance of good quality road markings in helping older drivers, particulary at night; and 5) the need for the design of traffic signs to recognise the lesser abilities of the growing number of older drivers. The paper concludes by showing how the road environment must be adapted and improved and be better managed to provide a higher level of service and safety for Europe's growing population of older drivers. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 866319.