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5d ago

Germany Reports 26% Rise in Senior Drivers Involved in Severe Accidents Over a Decade

In 2023, 21,500 drivers aged 75 and older were involved in serious crashes, with three-quarters found to be the main cause, prompting calls for voluntary feedback programs.

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Mehr ältere Menschen am Steuer sind nach Auswertung in schwere Unfälle verwickelt.

Overview

  • From 2013 to 2023, severe accidents involving drivers aged 75+ increased by 26%, reaching 21,500 cases in 2023, even as overall accident rates fell by 12%.
  • Research attributes this trend to age-related declines in reaction time, concentration, and attention, which disproportionately affect seniors in complex traffic scenarios.
  • The number of licensed drivers aged 75 and older more than doubled from 2.5 million in 2015 to nearly 5.9 million in 2024, with a sharp rise in annual mileage.
  • Experts recommend confidential 'Rückmeldefahrten,' or feedback drives, where seniors receive non-punitive evaluations to help adjust their driving habits and stay safe.
  • Mandatory health checks or license renewals for seniors remain off the table due to EU Parliament opposition, leaving voluntary measures as the primary focus.