COVID-19 may have taken the lives of many older people, but there’s one place it seems the virus has reduced the number of lives lost: the road.
A Flinders University study has revealed a significant drop in road fatalities among over-65s. And it claims COVID has something to do with it.
Older Australians have been taking more risks on the roads since the implementation of COVID-19 lockdowns, a consequence of reduced travel volumes and congestion across the country.
These factors have had a direct impact on the frequency and severity of traffic crashes involving seniors.
To delve into the patterns of road crashes experienced by socially disadvantaged groups, a team of researchers led by Dr Ali Soltani, from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute at Flinders University, analysed crash data both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim was to ascertain the influence of the pandemic on the occurrence and location of crashes involving older individuals.
The researchers focused on police-reported crash data for over-65s in metropolitan Adelaide, examining two periods: the two years preceding the pandemic and the year following its onset.
The investigation revealed a 20 per cent decrease in the frequency of crashes involving older adults during the lockdown period in 2020, compared to the same pre-pandemic time frame. This reduction was attributed to the travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
However, while the decrease in traffic volume resulted in an overall reduction in crashes, the severity of the crashes increased slightly, with crash hotspots shifting to higher speed zones.
Dr Soltani explains: “The changes in crash occurrence were strongly related to time and certain spatial characteristics of the environment.”
The study highlighted three types of characteristics that were particularly prominent in these changes: conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles in mixed land-use areas, proximity to high-risk corridors, and distance from public transit stations in areas with traffic-calming strategies.
The reduction in road deaths during COVID was due to the reduced amount of traffic on our roads. It reinforces the argument that better roads would reduce congestion and therefore result in fewer deaths.
“The increase in the severity of road incidents is interesting,” says YourLifeChoices motoring expert Paul Murrell (seniordriveraus.com).
“Research has shown that drivers will mostly drive to the level of risk they feel comfortable with, and to their appreciation of the prevailing conditions. Obviously, with lighter traffic loads, drivers felt justified – wrongly, as it turns out – in taking greater risks.
“This has been called the ‘Volvo Factor’: Volvo drivers have been shown to take greater risks because they believe their cars are inherently safer.
“But there is a tongue-in-cheek industry gag that if we really wanted to make drivers more aware of their mortality and take fewer risks on the road, we should replace the airbag in the steering wheel with a large metal spike pointed straight at the driver’s chest.”
Age-related factors contribute to an increased risk of crashes among older individuals. They are more vulnerable to injuries than younger adults, and with the ageing population, this vulnerability becomes a growing concern.
The study emphasises the importance of considering temporal and spatial factors in assessing road crash risk, providing insights into spatial patterns of crashes involving older people that can be utilised to enhance road safety.
Dr Soltani stresses the need to consider variations in the built environment and their impact on crashes within metropolitan areas. He suggests improving the visibility of traffic signs in mixed-use zones in Adelaide’s inner suburbs to enhance the visual knowledge and understanding of drivers, ultimately helping them avoid crashes.
The study’s findings also suggest that the pandemic’s influence in reducing the number of crashes could guide management policies aimed at implementing telecommunication strategies across Australia to discourage unnecessary commuting. This would involve empowering the population aged 65 and above by enhancing their digital literacy and facilitating online shopping, recreation, medical and health services, and employment opportunities.
“The results of the study could assist Australian academics and policymakers in comprehending the multifaceted implications of the built environment on the road safety of the elderly,” Dr Soltani says.
The researchers hope that, by understanding the spatial patterns of crashes involving seniors, policymakers and researchers can work towards improving road safety measures and implementing policies that empower older people to adapt to changing transportation trends and technologies.
“Mixed-use zones need better signage and clearer definition of responsibilities,” says Mr Murrell. “A study in Norway showed that removing artificial barriers (such as gutters, pedestrian crossings, defined pedestrian/vehicle areas, etc.) actually made these areas safer because drivers naturally perceived the risk factor to be higher, took greater care and drove with heightened awareness.
“Reducing traffic density clearly has advantages. This can be achieved by improving alternative travel strategies such as easily accessible and affordable public transport, increasing home shopping options, increased work from home options – anything that reduces the need to commute or drive.”
Do you feel the roads are safer since the pandemic? Have your driving habits changed? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
Updated: Motoring expert Paul Murrell’s quotes added 8 June.
Also read: Most common mistakes made by older drivers
Most studies I have seen appear to start from the belief that older drivers are always prone to have more accidents than other age groups. Yet the contrary is the truth.. take a look at people under 30 and you will see a dramatic worsening in the serious accidents in that younger group. To me this belief is a sign of rampant “ageism”.
To Force every driver over a specific age to have a full medical every year is not justified and is just another unnecessary burden on these older drivers. Thankfully not all States make this demand. Most older drivers give up driving when they feel they are no longer safe to drive – without any force being applied by the state driving authorities. As the study shows older drivers often make changes and drive in accord with their abilities .
In the 6 years or so I worked as a driving instructor in Brisbane I noted older drivers have a natural caution in their driving habits. Older drivers usually have a very obvious lack of aggression. Helping older drivers with sound advice is another matter .. this positive approach can only be helpfull. One good example is to plan their trip and avoid center of the road right turns, be aware of the easiest route and know when a turn is coming, stay well back from the car in front on a freeway, at least 3 seconds or about 6 to 8 car lengths. Even more on a wet road.
Qld is a serious example of ageism applied to older drivers, they will simply not listen to reason and rely entirely on the “professions” who all have a strong vested interest in keeping annual medicals for older drivers.
To take away a driving licence from an older driver is an extremely serious matter… it destroys the independence of the driver concerned and pushes a major negative into their life. To me it would make my life very difficult and would be utterly depressing.
Let’s have a more enlightened approach to helping older drivers and get rid of the rampant ageism and negative attitude shown to older drivers … Qld is an example of this. I applaud the States that have dropped the annual medicals for older drivers and I take pleasure in noting that they do NOT have a rash of older drivers in accidents.
Does paragraph 3 really make sense. If seniors are taking more risks shouldn’t that increase the number and severity of accidents.
Hi David – thanks for your comment! I thought the same when I first read it. We sought comment from our motoring guru Paul Murrell, which was added post publication. I believe he simplifies the explanation.