Study Of Drivers License Options For Applicants Age 70 Or Older In Virginia

To answer the question of whether New Jersey's mature drivers present an increased risk of injury and fatalities to themselves and others, analyses of accident and violation records were performed. A survey was also conducted of a sample of State Departments of Motor Vehicles regarding licensing of mature drivers. The data analyses showed that New Jersey's older drivers, similar to those in other states, are involved in fewer crashes when compared to other age groups. Their rate of crash involvement per population also decreases. For crash involvements per licensed driver, we found a similar pattern of decrease with age until the drivers reached their mid-nineties. Then the trend showed an increase. Mature drivers have accidents in different places and times than do younger drivers and may be less safe than middle-aged drivers.