43% of road deaths: Alarming statistics spark fresh debate on older drivers and road safety
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Road safety is a concern for all drivers, but some groups face unique challenges that put them at greater risk.
With recent statistics highlighting a troubling trend, authorities are stepping in to address the issue.
So, what measures are being taken—and how might they impact those on the road?
Older drivers have become a growing concern in South Australia, with statistics showing they are disproportionately affected by road fatalities.
In response, South Australia Police planned to host two free road safety sessions on 27 March at the newly established Road Safety Centre in West Beach.
These sessions aimed to update drivers on road rules, assess their fitness to drive, and provide alternatives to driving for those who may need them.
While the courses were primarily designed for drivers aged 70 and over, they were open to all licensed motorists.
Police stated their goal was to ‘reduce the overrepresentation of older road users becoming the victims of road trauma by educating them on Australian road rules and what may have changed’.
They also aimed to promote safer driving by focusing on ‘sharing the road [and] the fatal five causes of road trauma’.
Authorities also hoped to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and the use of electric mobility devices.
South Australian road fatality data revealed that 88 motorists lost their lives in 2024, with 38 of those—over 43 per cent—being aged 65 or older.
This was significantly above the national average, where 25 per cent of road fatalities involved people aged 65 and over, accounting for 327 of 1,324 deaths.
This was not the first initiative aimed at improving road safety for older motorists.
The South Australia Council on the Ageing had previously run the Moving Right Along program to help motorists refresh their driving knowledge.
More than 2,500 drivers participated in the program before its funding was cut in 2019.
The South Australian Government had reportedly allocated $100,000 per year to the program before its cancellation.
The renewed focus on senior drivers came shortly after a 97-year-old woman from South Australia made headlines for fighting to have her licence reinstated.
She had failed two practical driving tests, scoring 182 points in the first and 128 in the second, leading to her licence being suspended.
Under South Australian law, drivers aged 85 and above must pass an annual driving test, with 20 points or more resulting in failure.
The woman appealed the decision to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT), but the ruling was upheld.
Her grandson, who represented her in the case, argued that ‘the practical test assessor’s determinations were primarily based on, or at least influenced by, the applicant’s age’.
With the number of older drivers on the road continuing to grow, authorities remained focused on balancing road safety with mobility for seniors.
With older drivers facing increased road risks, experts are exploring new ways to improve safety and reduce accidents.
Find out what researchers are doing to tackle the issue in the video below.
With road rules constantly evolving, do you think older drivers face unfair challenges when it comes to keeping their licences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
With recent statistics highlighting a troubling trend, authorities are stepping in to address the issue.
So, what measures are being taken—and how might they impact those on the road?
Older drivers have become a growing concern in South Australia, with statistics showing they are disproportionately affected by road fatalities.
In response, South Australia Police planned to host two free road safety sessions on 27 March at the newly established Road Safety Centre in West Beach.
These sessions aimed to update drivers on road rules, assess their fitness to drive, and provide alternatives to driving for those who may need them.
While the courses were primarily designed for drivers aged 70 and over, they were open to all licensed motorists.
Police stated their goal was to ‘reduce the overrepresentation of older road users becoming the victims of road trauma by educating them on Australian road rules and what may have changed’.
They also aimed to promote safer driving by focusing on ‘sharing the road [and] the fatal five causes of road trauma’.
Authorities also hoped to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and the use of electric mobility devices.
South Australian road fatality data revealed that 88 motorists lost their lives in 2024, with 38 of those—over 43 per cent—being aged 65 or older.
This was significantly above the national average, where 25 per cent of road fatalities involved people aged 65 and over, accounting for 327 of 1,324 deaths.
This was not the first initiative aimed at improving road safety for older motorists.
The South Australia Council on the Ageing had previously run the Moving Right Along program to help motorists refresh their driving knowledge.
More than 2,500 drivers participated in the program before its funding was cut in 2019.
The South Australian Government had reportedly allocated $100,000 per year to the program before its cancellation.
The renewed focus on senior drivers came shortly after a 97-year-old woman from South Australia made headlines for fighting to have her licence reinstated.
She had failed two practical driving tests, scoring 182 points in the first and 128 in the second, leading to her licence being suspended.
Under South Australian law, drivers aged 85 and above must pass an annual driving test, with 20 points or more resulting in failure.
The woman appealed the decision to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT), but the ruling was upheld.
Her grandson, who represented her in the case, argued that ‘the practical test assessor’s determinations were primarily based on, or at least influenced by, the applicant’s age’.
With the number of older drivers on the road continuing to grow, authorities remained focused on balancing road safety with mobility for seniors.
With older drivers facing increased road risks, experts are exploring new ways to improve safety and reduce accidents.
Find out what researchers are doing to tackle the issue in the video below.
With road rules constantly evolving, do you think older drivers face unfair challenges when it comes to keeping their licences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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