Older and Younger Drivers Die of Different Causes

Researchers have found the following:

Drivers 65 and over killed in car accidents were significantly more likely to die of a chest injury (47.3 percent vs. 24.0 percent in the youngest group)

Younger drivers were more likely to die of a head injury (22.0 percent vs. 47.1 percent in the oldest group)

Older drivers were more likely to die at a date after the crash date (“delayed death”)

Frailty or pre-existing health conditions played a significant role in the deaths of the older group, but not in the younger group (50.0 percent of the deaths of the older group vs. 4.3 percent of the younger drivers’ deaths)

Despite driving at lower average speeds than younger and middle-aged drivers, and a greater likelihood of wearing seatbelts, older drivers were more likely to be injured or die in an accident than younger drivers.