Facts

The number of collisions in which someone is killed or seriously injured (KSI) is likely to increase if Norfolk's age demographic increases as is predicted. This is why older drivers are one of the three main road user groups targeted specifically by the Think! Norfolk Partnership.

The current countywide reduction against baseline (set from 2005-2009) for KSI collisions involving an older driver is 63%. This compares favourably with the KSI reduction across all ages of 22%.

Further analysis of the incidents found the following:

• 62% were car occupants compared to all ages 52%
• 38% driver, 24% passenger
• 1% riders of powered two wheelers (compared to all ages 21%)
• 23% pedestrian (mainly built up areas) compared to all ages 13%

In addition, 62% occur at junctions and 67% occur on high speed roads; the commonest manoeuvres involved are turns at junctions, followed by head-on collisions and loss of control.

Rural areas particularly in the north of the county have the greatest numbers of older road user casualties. 9% of KSI casualties in Norfolk are aged 70+. Approximately 10% of Norfolk's KSI casualties are aged 70 or over. Of accidents involving death or serious injury where a driver was aged 70 or over, the older driver was considered primarily blameworthy in 72%

Analysis of KSI casualties aged 70+ found that:

• 47% were car occupants
• 34% drivers and 13% passengers
• 38% pedestrian (mostly in built up areas) compared with 16% for all ages
• 55% occur at junctions and 63% occur on high speed roads (>40mph)
• The most common manoeuvres are right turns out of junctions and tail end collisions

The top contributory factors for older drivers/riders countywide reveals:

• Incidences of failing to look properly (22%) are higher in older drivers
• Incidences of failing to judge another vehicle's path or speed (9%) are higher in older drivers
• Incidences of disobeying junction control (4%) are higher in older drivers
• Incidences of loss of control (9%) are higher in older drivers

• To download a copy of this graph please see the download section to the right of this page. 
• To find out more about general road safety facts for the County please click here.
• To find out more about younger driver facts please click here.
• To find out more about motorcyclists facts please click here.