80+ year old belted driver fatalities in 2017-2023 CISS

The aim of this study was to analyze fatal crashes investigated by NHTSA involving 80+ yo (year old) lap-shoulder belted drivers. The crash types, circumstances and injuries were evaluated.

NHTSA online database of 2017-2023 CISS (Crash Investigation Sampling System) crashes was searched for 80+ yo driver fatalities. Each case was downloaded. Only investigator confirmed belted drivers were summarized for driving maneuvers, crash types, impact severities, older driver demographics, and injury sources. Photographs were reviewed for vehicle deformation and intrusion.

Thirty-one (31) cases met the selection criteria of an 80+ yo belted driver fatality. The drivers were 84.5 ± 4.4 years old, 92.3% were White, 54.8% were male and 10.0% used alcohol/drugs. The crashes occurred primarily in the morning or afternoon. The vehicles were 9.9 ± 6.6 years old. In 71% of the cases, the 80+ yo driver caused the crash by: 1) crossing or turning in front of another vehicle at an intersection causing a side impact (23%), 2) driving into another vehicle at an intersection causing a frontal impact (13%), 3) drifting out of lane into an oncoming vehicle or off road causing a frontal impact (29%) or 4) speeding, losing control and rolling over (6%). The last cluster was: 5) another driver causing the crash (29%). The intersection crashes had 39.0 ± 10.1 km/h delta V. The drift out of lane crashes had 53.4 ± 21.2 km/h delta V. The extent of vehicle damage was severe (51.6%), moderate (35.5%) or minor (12.9%). The injury severity (MAIS) was 3.7 ± 1.4. The chest (80.8%) was frequently injured with multiple rib fractures followed by the head (30.8%) and spine (26.9%). Most (66.7%) of the 80+ yo deaths occurred within a day, 33.3% within an hour and 11.1% died immediately. The median time to death was 2.65 hr. The seatbelt (59.3%) and steering system (33.3%) were the most common injury sources followed by the driver door, A- pillar and B-pillar (22.2%) and far-side interior (18.5%) in 29 of the known cases.

The 80+ yo drivers caused most (71%) of the fatal crashes at intersections (36%), by drifting out of lane (29%) and by speeding (6%). Most fatal crashes seemed to involve errors in perception, vision, and judgment where sensory and cognitive functions failed to recognize the presence and speed of a crossing or oncoming vehicle. The crashes mainly involved partial overlap frontal or side impacts causing chest injuries with the majority dying within a day. Older drivers should stay vigilant, maintain lane control, and heed the advice to "look left, right and left" at intersections.