[Risk of injuries among older drivers]

In a population of 307,486 persons living in four Norwegian cities a total of 2,189 road traffic injuries requiring treatment in hospitals or casualty wards occurred in 1990. 4.4% of the injured were between 65-74 years of age, and 2.9% were older than 75. The incidence of injuries from road traffic accidents was greatest among the youngest group (18-24 years), and decreased with increasing age. We also analyzed the traffic accident risk per million kilometers driven. The driver's risk of injury was highest for adolescents (18-24 years), and decreased with increasing age (up to 75 years). The youngest driver runs the greatest risk of injury in traffic. Drivers in the 65-75 age group have a lower risk of injury per kilometers driven, in this group the incidence of traffic accidents is lower than the average for all drivers. The injury statistics provide no indication that older drivers should be required to renew their license more frequently.