Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Occupational Traffic Deaths among Older Adults

Though this coalition focuses on the preventing teen motor vehicle crashes, many of our partners have an interest in traffic safety across all age groups. A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report addresses Occupational Highway Transportation Deaths Among Workers Aged ≥55 Years, U.S. 2003-2010. The research found that the motor vehicle fatality rate among workers ≥65 years of age was more than triple the rate for workers aged 18-54. However, this trend does not to the general population and all motor vehicle crashes. In Colorado, the rate of motor vehicle fatalities (not just occupational deaths) among those aged ≥65 from 2003-2010 is only slightly higher than the motor vehicle fatality rate of the general population aged 18-54.