Overview
- Official figures show 18–24-year-olds most often caused crashes through non‑adapted speed (19.7%) and insufficient distance (19.2%), while those 65+ most frequently erred when turning or maneuvering (22.0%) and by violating right of way (20.9%).
- Young drivers were overrepresented in injury crashes relative to their population share (15.0% of those involved vs 7.2% of residents), whereas people 65+ were underrepresented (16.0% vs 22.7%).
- Older motorists faced markedly worse outcomes, accounting for 37.3% of car‑occupant deaths and 20.4% of serious injuries in 2024 despite lower proportional involvement.
- When involved in a crash, drivers 65+ were deemed mainly responsible in 68.4% of cases and those 18–24 in 65.9%, compared with 52.3% for the 25–64 group.
- Alcohol was recorded more often for younger and middle‑aged drivers (3.5% for 18–24 and 3.9% for 25–64) than for those 65+ (1.0%), while other physical or cognitive impairments contributed comparatively more among older drivers (4.8%).