Seniors
Consider the facts
Australia’s roads and drivers are both aging.
Australians over 60 years of age represent 17% or nearly 3.5 million of
the population, and over the last 10 years have accounted for more than 1 in
5 road crash fatalities.
The senior population is growing at a faster rate than
any other age group, and as people age, hearing, vision and reaction
time begin to diminish.
As a result of the decline of birth rates in Australia
and the increase of life expectancy, the elderly population has grown by
164% over the twenty years to 2002, compared to a total population increase
of 29% over the same period.
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Get the Facts
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Of the 1628 people who were killed on our roads in
2003, 324 - or one in five - were 60 years and over.
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Currently over 1 in 5 drivers killed in road crashes are seniors
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Nearly 1 in 5 passengers killed in road crashes are
seniors
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Over 1 in 3 pedestrians killed in road crashes are
seniors
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Over 1 in 5 cyclists killed in road crashes are
seniors, and
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1 in 20 of motorcyclists killed are seniors.
What
can be done?
Roads can be designed to better accommodate
reductions in
eyesight, hearing, reaction time and muscle dexterity, which naturally
decline with age. Specific road treatments can include:
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Bigger and brighter signs and
pavement markings
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Better lighting
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Provision of safety islands
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Rumble strips to guard against
running off the road
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State-of-the-art guardrails, median
barriers, bridge railings, breakaway (frangible) power and light
poles, crash cushions
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Enhanced signage and markings,
retimed traffic lights and increased use of red-light and speed cameras
for safer intersections
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Installation of ‘beeping ‘ and
vibrating pedestrian crossing signals
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Greater use of changeable electronic message signs
to alert drivers to dangerous road conditions and emergencies.
You can help make a
difference. Insist your local, state and federal politicians fix aging,
congested roads, improve signage and lighting, to make travel safer for
kids, for our parents, for our friends – for everyone.
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