Silent Dangers: The Growing Vulnerability of Older Adults in Fatal Road Traffic Accidents.

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults represent a growing and vulnerable road user group. Our aim was to develop targeted interventions and preventive measures for decreasing road deaths in older adults by establishing the circumstances and the characteristics leading to such fatalities with regard to each type of road user.

Materials and methods: Medico-legal autopsy records of victims of road traffic accidents from Timișoara Institute of Legal Medicine (TILM), Romania, in a five-year period (2017-2021) were analyzed. Data was retrieved and grouped according to the victims' demographics (age and gender), date of the accident, type of road user (driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist), and traumatic injuries. Moreover, data from the traffic police reports regarding additional circumstances of the crash were retrieved.

Results: A total of 51 medico-legal autopsies involving older adults (aged above 70 years) were performed at TILM in 2017-2021. Regarding the type of road user, pedestrians were the most affected group among older adults (n=17), followed by cyclists (n=13), passengers (n=11), and drivers (n=10). Most cases (n=9) occurred when the victims were hit by a car behind them. The second most seen circumstance that led to fatally injured older victims was represented by being hit by a moving vehicle while crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk (n=7).

Conclusion: Our findings illustrate the need to focus on road fatalities among older adults, as these tragic events affect this vulnerable group. Unfortunately, less attention has been given to the severity and significance of these incidents. Preventive campaigns focusing on road user education, safe driving, safe walking and the implementation of facile public transport or improved pedestrian crossings should be the key points.