The case in summary • Older drivers drive the fewest kilometers a year, but are highly represented among those to blame for serious accidents.• Advanced technology in new cars may be part of the cause of accidents among the elderly.• Older drivers are calling for refresher courses, both theoretical and practical.• Cooperation with several actors, such as road authorities and health authorities, can help to improve the situation. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. The emergency police’s report “Fatal accidents in traffic” shows that drivers in the age group over 75 made up a particularly large proportion of those killed and of those who caused accidents on the road last year. Both the police themselves, and several older people news has spoken to, believe that the advanced technology in new cars may be part of the reason. Steals attention – You get too busy with these screens. There is also too little driving practice. Lars Henry Johnsen (86) from Larvik has a long record of driving on Norwegian roads. Among other things, he has been an active member of the Norwegian motorsport club for 75 years. Lars Henry Johnsen hears about elderly people who refuse to drive into roundabouts. Photo: veslemøy prøis / news He believes unfamiliar sounds and screens in new cars can steal the attention of many elderly people during the drive. Johnsen believes that courses are the way to go if his peers are to be well equipped to drive. – It must also be practical. Not just theoretically. Preferably with a driving school teacher, is his recommendation, and adds that this also applies to himself. The experienced driver hears, among other things, about elderly people who do not want to drive on the motorway. – They do not dare to travel out on the E18. It probably comes from the fact that they have little driving practice. They are also afraid of roundabouts. They’re used to driving from there to there, and that’s it. Many people agree that modern equipment can be confusing. Knut Erik Nordheim (70), Larvik – There is too much stuff. Knotter, dill and dill. It is pure Christmas tree. There are such high speeds now, and it takes so little before it crashes, says the 70-year-old driver. Dag Sørensen (75), Larvik – Especially on electric cars, one screen is bigger than the other. You must not press them all the time. It will be like using a mobile phone, he believes. Needs more measures According to the report from the Emergency Police (UP), people aged over 75 made up the largest proportion of traffic deaths in 2022, with 20 per cent. They were followed by people in the 55-64 age group, with a share of 19 per cent. There was also a high proportion of people in the age group 18-24 and 25-34 who died in traffic accidents, with 16 and 13 per cent respectively. – When we look at the distribution of people who caused the accident, we see an almost identical picture, the report reads. People in the age group over 75 made up the highest proportion here too, with a share of 20 per cent. They were followed by people aged 55-64 with a share of 18 per cent. There was also a high proportion of people in the 25-34 age group who caused accidents, with a proportion of 15 per cent. The emergency police often focus on intoxication, speed and the use of mobile phones in traffic. But these are not the causes of accidents when it comes to older drivers. That’s what Knut Smedsrud, chief of the Utrykningspolitiet, tells news. Knut Smedsrud, chief of the Emergency Police. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news One of the police’s hypotheses for the high number of elderly people is linked to the combination between new vehicles with more advanced technology and impaired cognitive abilities. A large amount of information can attract attention, which means that you do not follow enough on the road. – It can again cause accidents, but this is hypothetical from our side, he emphasizes. Smedsrud believes that cooperation with several other actors can improve the situation. – I think that both road authorities and health authorities should take a closer look at these figures, and assess whether measures can be taken. Screens in modern cars can be distracting for older drivers while driving. Both the police and several seniors news have spoken to believe so. Photo: Simon Skjelvik Brandseth / news – Must do something Traffic officer in the South-East police district, Henning Johansen, agrees. In the past, the police have taken clear measures against young people and drugs, while the elderly may have been given a lower priority in that context. – When we get such a clear recommendation that this is a challenge, then we have to do something, he says. Johansen also believes that brochures, advertising and other information channels can help. – There is a sea of possibilities, but it costs money. Henning Johansen, traffic officer in the South-East police district. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Hello! I have written this case. Do you have tips for other exciting topics I should look into? Don’t hesitate to send me a tip!
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A surprising number of elderly people cause fatal accidents on the roads – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
