Older drivers and passengers will benefit from new vehicle safety guidelines, the first of its kind in Australia, designed to help them stay safe on the road and avoid injury.
Each year, around 175 Australians aged 65 years and over die in car crashes and more than 4000 are hospitalised. Guidelines launched by Neuroscience Research Australia’s (NeuRA) Transurban Road Safety Centre this month aim to address the rate of injury and fatality among Australia’s older drivers by providing practical, actionable advice to health and road safety professionals.
Joint Director of the Centre, Professor Julie Brown, said the guidelines were co-developed by researchers from the Transurban Road Safety Centre, The George Institute and Occupational Therapy Australia.
“Mobility is critical to independent and healthy ageing, as the primary means of transport for most older Australians is the car,” Prof Brown said.
“However, older people are over-represented in crash statistics, with death and casualty rates almost as high as our youngest drivers. The new guidelines provide medical practitioners, allied health and road safety professionals, who are ideally placed to advise older people about how to travel safely and comfortably, with accurate advice on how to ensure safe and comfortable travel for older individuals.”
Chest injuries are the most common among older car occupants who die or are hospitalised following a crash.
Safety and comfort are key
The guidelines drew on the expertise of multidisciplinary experts to provide evidence-based advice, with three critical areas of safety and comfort addressed.
“We need to achieve a balance between comfort and safety when traveling, and this includes reiterating the importance of using seatbelts and how you can adjust them safely,” Prof Brown said.
“Older people with cognitive or physical limitations may need help adjusting their vehicles, so an occupational therapy driving assessor can assist with addressing difficulties with vehicle entry and exit, ensuring proper seat height, seatbelt position, plus optimal access to the steering wheel and foot pedals.
“Finally, we need to minimise pain and discomfort that can come from sitting in or driving a vehicle for extended periods. According to the guidelines, measures to address this should include taking regular breaks, consulting a physiotherapist, vehicle adjustments prescribed by a qualified professional, like an occupational therapy driver assessor, and avoiding the use of lumbar supports such as cushions or pads.”
Caution on comfort accessories
The guidelines were practical and evidence-based, designed for allied health and road safety professionals to assist older drivers and passengers.
“Most safety and comfort problems can be addressed for most people in most vehicles through the available adjustments in the vehicle,” Prof Brown said.
“Older people should be encouraged to make these adjustments, or seek professional assistance if they can’t achieve a safe or comfortable fit themselves.
“There are risks with using comfort accessories that you add to the vehicle, such as cushions or seat pads, without professional guidance.”
