Georgia Traffic Safety Facts 2021 Data August 2023 Key Findings In 2021, an estimated 2.9 million people were 55 years and older a 10 percent increase from 2017. The older population (55+ years) made up 27 percent of the total Georgia resident population. Older drivers (55+ years) also accounted for 35 percent of all licensed drivers, 26 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes, and 19 percent of all drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes. 65+ Years In 2021, there were 1.5 million licensed drivers 65+ years a 22 percent increase from 2017. Drivers 65+ years made up 19 percent of all licensed drivers. The number of drivers ages 65+ years involved in fatal crashes increased by 14 percent (from 299 drivers in 2020 to 341 drivers in 2021). Drivers ages 65+ years accounted for 13 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2021. In 2021, the total motor vehicle crashrelated hospitalization and emergency room charges among Georgia residents 65+ years was $292 million. Cross-Cutting Findings Between 2020 and 2021, the number of pedestrians 65+ years of age that were seriously or fatally injured increased by 18 percent (from 80 to 94), and the rate of seriously or fatally injured pedestrians 65+ years per 100,000 population increased by 17 percent (from 5.08 to 5.93). Governor's Office of Highway Safety 7 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE Suite #643 Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-6996 www.gahighwaysafety.org Older Drivers Ages 55 Years and Older For the purposes of this fact sheet, persons 55-to-64 years old and persons 65 years or older are considered part of the "older drivers" population particularly in relation to population, drivers, motor vehicle occupants, and non-motorists. The involvement of older drivers in traffic crashes does not imply that older drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act. This fact sheet contains information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crash data modified by Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System (CODES) at the Department of Public Health (DPH), Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), Hospital Discharge Data, and Emergency Room Data. Refer to the 'Data Considerations' presented at the end of this publication for more information concerning the data. Traffic Crashes Involving Older Drivers Fatal crashes that involve drivers aged 65+ years increased by 14 percent (from 299 drivers in 2020 to 341 drivers in 2021), and the rate of drivers 65+ years involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 population increased by 13 percent. The number and rate of drivers in the 55-to-64 age group involved in fatal crashes slightly increased by 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Across the decade (2012-2021), drivers 65+ years represented approximately 13 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. Figure 1. Older Drivers (55+ Years) Involved in Fatal Crashes and Rate per 100,000 Population, 20172021 Drivers Aged 55-64 Yrs Drivers Aged 65+ Yrs Drivers Aged 55-64 Yrs Rate per 100,000 Population Drivers Aged 65+ Yrs Rate per 100,000 Population 30.0 26.0 25.0 21.9 20.0 22.9 18.6 21.2 24.3 20.6 19.0 15.0 329 308 10.0 294 272 277 313 322 299 25.0 525 21.5 425 325 336 341 225 5.0 125 - 2017 2018 Source: FARS 2017-2021 2019 2020 25 2021 Page 1 In 2021, older drivers aged 65+ years represented 15 percent of the population and 19 percent of all licensed drivers. However, they only represent 8 percent of all drivers involved in traffic crashes and 13 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. Compared to other age groups, drivers 65+ years have the lowest rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes per licensed driver and per population. However, this age group has the highest rate of involvement in fatal crashes per 100,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes. The rate of older drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes increases as the older drivers 65+ years continue to age. This is indicative of the vulnerability of that driving population and the fragility that aging brings. In 2021: For every 100,000 traffic crashes involving drivers aged 65+ years, 579.4 were fatal crashes. For every 100,000 licensed drivers aged 65+ years, 22.3 drivers aged 65+ years were involved in a fatal crash. For every 100,000 Georgia residents aged 65+ years, 21.5 drivers aged 65+ years were involved in a fatal crash. Table 1. Drivers Involved in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes by Age Group, 2021 Age Group (Years) 15-20 Number of Drivers Involved Traffic Crashes 75,774 Fatal Crashes 215 Licensed Drivers 633,567 Estimated Population 908,221 Rates of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes Per 100,000 Crashes Per 100,000 License Per 100,000 Population 283.7 33.9 23.7 21-24 75,168 260 543,760 574,233 345.9 47.8 45.3 25-34 163,436 567 1,401,893 1,494,153 346.9 40.4 37.9 35-44 120,860 452 1,318,949 1,428,680 374.0 34.3 31.6 45-54 98,912 389 1,305,857 1,398,509 393.3 29.8 27.8 55-64 77,751 336 1,271,578 1,343,137 432.1 26.4 25.0 65+ 58,851 341 1,531,994 1,584,071 579.4 22.3 21.5 65-74 41,308 216 945,284 987,987 522.9 22.9 21.9 75-84 14,739 99 460,898 455,027 671.7 21.5 21.8 85+ 2,804 26 125,812 141,057 927.2 20.7 18.4 TOTAL 715,646* 2,617* 8,007,598 10,799,566 *Totals include drivers 14 years or younger or with unreported age Source: FARS 2021; CODES 2021; DDS 2021; OASIS 2021 365.7 32.7 24.2 Figure 2 displays the rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers by age group. As age increases, the rate of involvement in fatal crashes decreases. In 2021, 22.9 drivers aged 65-to-74 years for every 100,000 licensed drivers aged 65-to-74 years were involved in a fatal crash. Figure 2. Rate of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Licensed Drivers by Age Group, 2021 47.8 40.4 All Drivers = 32.7 33.9 34.3 29.8 26.4 22.9 21.5 20.7 15-20 21-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+ Source: FARS 2021, DDS 2021 Page 2 Fatalities and Serious Injuries in Crashes Involving Older Drivers Table 2 shows the number of all traffic fatalities that involved drivers aged 65+ years by person type from 2017 to 2021. Fatalities among drivers aged 65+ years increased by 5 percent--from 176 in 2020 to 185 in 2021. Fatalities among motorcyclists (operators and passengers) aged 65+ years increased by 58 percent--from 7 fatalities in 2020 to 11 fatalities in 2021. Throughout the five-year period, most fatally injured passengers of older drivers were over the age of 65 years. In 2021, 60 percent (25 out of 42) of fatally injured passengers of drivers 65+ years were also over the age of 65 years. Table 2. All Traffic Fatalities in Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Person Type and Year, 2017-2021 Year Older Drivers (65+Years) Drivers Motorcycle Operators Passengers of Older Drivers by Age Less than 65 Years 65+ Years Total Occupants of Other Vehicles NonMotorists Total 2017 180 60% 10 3% 8 25 33 3% 8% 11% 51 17% 27 301 9% 100% 2018 154 56% 11 4% 7 22 29 3% 8% 11% 56 20% 24 274 9% 100% 2019 184 57% 20 6% 8 32 40 2% 10% 12% 55 17% 23 322 7% 100% 2020 176 56% 7 2% 12 29 42* 4% 9% 13% 60 19% 28 313 9% 100% 2021 185 54% 11 3% 16 25 42* 5% 7% 12% 68 20% 34 10% 340 100% Note: Percent is calculated across the rows. There were no motorcycle passenger fatalities in crashes involving older drivers or motorcycle operators between 2017-2021. * Includes passengers of unknown age. Source: FARS 2017-2021 In 2021, there were 1,281 persons with suspected serious injuries involved in crashes that involved older drivers age 65+ years--14 percent of all serious injuries. Figure 3 shows the percent of serious injuries among all persons involved in crashes with at least one older driver aged 65+ years in 2021. Among all serious injuries involving older drivers: 55 percent were occupants in the vehicle operated by the older driver (represented by gray in Figure 3). - 44 percent were the older driver aged 65+ years - 11 percent were the passengers of the older driver 45 percent were occupants of other vehicles or non-motorists (represented by brown in Figure 4). - 41 percent were occupants of vehicles that were not operated by an older driver - 4 percent were non-motorists (i.e., pedestrians or bicyclists) Figure 3: Percent of Persons Seriously Injured in Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Person Type, 2021 Occupant in older driver's vehicle Occupant in another vehicle or non-motorist Non-Motorists 4% (58) Occupant of another vehicle 41% (520) Older Driver 44% (565) 1,281 Serious Injuries Source: CODES 2021 Passengers of Older Driver 11% (138) Page 3 Restraint Use & Seatbelt Violations Figure 4 shows percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants (across all seating positions) who were unrestrained by age group and sex between 2019 and 2021. Passenger vehicles include passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. Between 2019 and 2021, there were more unrestrained, fatally injured, older, passenger vehicle occupants who were male compared to female. Based on known restraint use: 51 percent of fatally injured male occupants aged 55-to-64 years were unrestrained compared to 45 percent of female occupants. 34 percent of fatally injured male occupants aged 65+ years were unrestrained compared to 23 percent of female occupants. 10 percent of seriously injured1 drivers 65+ years were unrestrained and 13 percent of seriously injured passengers 65+ years were unrestrained (not shown in Figure 4). 42% 42% 45% 56% 68% 42% 63% 52% 57% 44% 57% 34% 51% 45% 34% 23% Figure 4. Percent of Fatally Injured Passenger Vehicle Occupants Unrestrained* in Traffic Crashes by Age Group and Sex, 2019-2021 (3-year period) Male Female 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Less 15-20 21-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ than 15 *Based on known restraint use Passenger vehicles include passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. Source: FARS 2021 In 2021, older drivers (55+ years) represented 13 percent of all seatbelt violations and 5 percent of child safety seat violations. Older drivers may be cited and convicted for seatbelt or child safety seat violations for other occupants within their vehicle. Seating Positions: Driving with Peers Figure 5 displays the seating positions of older drivers' passengers ages 65+ years fatally injured that were unrestrained from 2017 to 2021. 31 percent of all fatally injured, older drivers aged 65+ years old were unrestrained. 27 percent of all occupants (regardless of seating position and injury severity) riding with an older driver involved in a fatal crash were 65+ years of age. - 15 percent of fatally injured front seat passengers 65+ years old were unrestrained. - 42 percent of fatally injured backseat passengers aged 65+ years were unrestrained. Figure 5. Percent of Fatally Injured Older Drivers (65+ Years) and their Fatally Injured Passenger Occupants (Aged 65+ Years) Unrestrained* by Seating Position, 2017-2021 Restrained Unrestrained *Based on known restraint use Note: The number of backseat passenger fatalities aged 65+ years is relatively low. Source: FARS 2017-2021 1 Serious injuries are suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement. Page 4 Older Driver Licensing and Population Trends In 2021, an estimated 2.9 million people (27 percent of the total Georgia resident population) were 55 years of age and older. Fifteen percent of the Georgia population was 65 years old and older. Compared to 2017, the overall population in Georgia increased by 4 percent; however, the population of persons 55 years and older increased by 10 percent in 2021. As a result, older persons 55 years and older represent a greater proportion of the Georgia population. Over the past decade, the older population across the 55-to-64 years, 65-to-74 years, and 75+ age groups steadily increased. According to the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services, "Georgia's 60+ population is expected to increase by 66 percent between 2010 and 2050. Georgia's 85+ population is expected to triple to 462,723 persons in 2050 being the fastest-growing age group."2 In 2021, there were 2.8 million licensed drivers over the age of 55 years a 14 percent increase from 2017. Older drivers (55+ years) made up 35 percent of all licensed drivers in 2021. Table 6 shows the number of licensed older drivers and population estimates by age group and sex for 2017 and 2021. Table 3: Population Estimates and Licensing among Persons 55+ Years, 2017 and 2021 Age Group and Sex 55-64 Years 65+ Years Male Female Total Male Female Total Population Estimates 2017 2021 Change Number Percent 599,889 648,643 + 48,754 + 8% 663,673 694,494 + 30,821 + 5% 1,263,562 1,343,137 + 79,575 + 6% 612,926 699,137 + 86,211 + 14% 794,884 884,934 + 90,050 + 11% 1,407,810 1,584,071 + 176,261 + 13% 2017 ** ** 1,191,504 ** ** 1,257,619 Licensed Drivers 2021 Change Number Percent 612,800 ** ** 658,778 ** ** 1,271,578 + 80,074 + 7% 715,305 ** ** 816,689 ** ** 1,531,994 + 274,375 + 22% 65-74 Years 75-84 Years 85+ Years Total Age 55+ Years Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total 397,552 473,327 870,879 168,113 226,221 394,334 47,261 95,336 142,597 1,212,815 1,458,557 2,671,372 452,769 535,218 987,987 196,943 258,084 455,027 49,425 91,632 141,057 1,347,780 1,579,428 2,927,208 + 55,217 + 61,891 + 117,108 + 28,830 + 31,863 + 60,693 + 2,164 - 3,704 - 1,540 + 134,965 + 120,871 + 255,836 + 14% + 13% + 13% + 17% + 14% + 15% + 5% - 4% - 1% + 11% + 8% + 10% ** ** 814,352 ** ** 349,994 ** ** 93,273 ** ** 2,449,123 443,291 501,993 945,284 214,914 245,984 460,898 57,100 68,712 125,812 1,328,105 1,475,467 2,803,572 ** ** + 130,932 ** ** + 110,904 ** ** + 32,539 ** ** + 354,449 ** ** + 16% ** ** + 32% ** ** + 35% ** ** + 14% **2017 DDS licensed drivers was not available by sex. Source: OASIS 2017 and 2021; DDS 2017 and 2021 2 Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services. State Fiscal Year 2017 Just the Facts (2017). Atlanta, GA: Department of Human Services. . September 18, 2020. Page 5 Contributing Circumstances In 2021, 91 percent of all crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years also involved other vehicles (multi-vehicle crashes), and 9 percent were single-vehicle crashes. The most common 'most harmful event' for multi-vehicle crashes was collisions with other motor vehicles; for single-vehicle crashes, collision with deer or other animal. The most common manner of collision in multi-vehicle crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years was angle crashes. For fatal and serious injury crashes, head-on collisions were the second highest rank manner of collisions. The manner of collision is not vehicle specific and does not identify which vehicle or driver was at fault. Table 4 below shows the highest-rank manner of collision for multi-vehicle traffic, injury, and fatal crashes that involve older drivers aged 65+ years. Table 4. Highest Rank Manner of Collision for Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Crash Type, 2021 Rank Fatal Crashes Serious Injury Crashes Traffic Crashes Manner of Collision % of crashes Manner of Collision % of crashes Manner of Collision % of crashes 1 Angle 51% Angle 45% Rear end (Front-to-rear) 36% 2 Head on (Front-to-front) 22% *Not a collision with a motor vehicle 18% Angle 36% 3 Rear end (Front-to-rear) 19% Rear end (Front-to-rear) 17% Sideswipe same direction 14% 4 Sideswipe (Same or opposite direction) 7% Head on (Front-to-front) 13% *Not a collision with a motor vehicle 8% * The first harmful event was not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport. For example, a collision with a fixed object may be the first harmful event. Source: FARS 2021, CODES 2021 Older drivers aged 65+ years losing control of their vehicle was the top contributing factor among operators involved in single-vehicle crashes. In 2021, 31 percent of older drivers (65+ years) involved in single-vehicle crashes lost control of their vehicle moments before they crashed with an object other than another vehicle. The top contributing factors among older drivers and other drivers involved in multivehicle crashes were failure to yield and following too closely. This does not imply that the older driver or other drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act. Table 5. Top Contributing Factors with Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Number of Vehicles Involved and Person Type, 2021 Single Vehicle Crashes Multi-Vehicle Crashes Rank 1 Older Drivers (65+ Years) Description % of drivers Driver lost control 31% Older Drivers (65+ Years) Description % of drivers Failed to yield 31% Other Driver Description Following too close % of drivers 41% 2 Other 22% Following too close 26% Failed to yield 20% 3 Reaction to object or animal 13% Changed lanes improperly 14% Changed lanes improperly 10% 4 Misjudged clearance 9% Other 7% Other 9% Source: CODES 2021 Page 6 Environmental Characteristics Table 6 summarizes the environmental characteristics of where and when fatal crashes and traffic crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years occurred in 2021. Fatal crashes and all traffic crashes involving older drivers have similar environmental characteristics, except for the predominant location of crashes. In 2021: 47 percent of all traffic crashes involving older drivers occurred at an intersection or intersection-related location, and 62 percent of all fatal crashes involving older drivers occurred at non-intersections. Among the fatal crashes that involved older drivers: 71 percent occurred in daylight conditions; 71 percent occurred during the weekday, and 33 percent occurred during the weekday afternoon hours (12:00 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.); and 73 percent occurred in clear weather conditions. Table 6. Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Environmental Characteristics, 2021 Environmental Characteristics Location * Intersection (or related) Non-Intersection Other Fatal Crashes Involving Older Drivers Number Percent Traffic Crashes Involving Older Drivers Number Percent 120 38% 26,240 47% 197 62% 25,180 45% -- -- 4,056 7% Unknown -- -- 428 1% Light Conditions Dark 84 26% 7,874 14% Daylight 225 71% 46,492 83% Dawn 4 1% 461 1% Dusk 4 1% 706 1% Day of Week / Time of Day * Weekday 6:00-11:59am 224 71% 43,147 77% 72 23% 12,584 23% 12:00-5:59pm 104 33% 24,472 44% 6:00-11:59pm 37 12% 5,124 9% 12:00-5:59am 11 3% 967 2% Weekend 93 29% 12,757 23% 6:00-11:59am 14 4% 2,370 4% 12:00-5:59pm 27 9% 5,799 10% 6:00-11:59pm 43 14% 3,921 7% 12:00-5:59am 9 3% 667 1% Weather Conditions Clear 231 73% 40,033 72% Cloudy 54 17% 10,528 19% Rain 30 9% 4,911 9% Other 2 1% 432 1% Season Winter 70 22% 12,484 22% Spring 77 24% 13,723 25% Summer 73 23% 13,750 25% Fall 97 31% 15,947 29% Weekday 6:00 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday Weekend 6:00 p.m. Friday to 5:59 a.m. Monday Daytime 6:00 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. Nighttime 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. *See data considerations for definitions of intersection and non-intersection locations Source: CODES 2021, FARS 2021 Page 7 Traffic-Related Injuries and Fatalities among the Aging Population In 2021, older persons aged 65+ years represented 7 percent of all emergency room visits (6,876 out of 93,536) and 18 percent of all hospitalizations (1,573 out of 8,598) related to motor vehicle traffic incidents. The total motor vehicle traffic-related hospitalization and emergency room charges among Georgia residents 65+ years was $292 million. In 2021, there were 538 persons aged 55 years or older (55+ years) fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Over half of these traffic fatalities (55 percent, 299 out of 538) were persons aged 65 years and older (65+ years). Table 7. Number, Percent, and Rate of All Motor Vehicle Traffic-Related Emergency Room Visits, Hospitalizations, and Fatalities by Age Group, 2021 Emergency Room Visits Hospitalizations Traffic Fatalities Age Group Number Percent of Total Rate per 100,000 Population Number Percent of Total Rate per 100,000 Population Number Percent of Total Rate per 100,000 Population Less than 15 4,913 5% 237.5 61 1% 2.9 47 3% 2.3 15-20 11,555 12% 1272.3 699 8% 77.0 143 8% 15.7 21-24 10,200 11% 1776.3 727 8% 126.6 160 9% 27.9 25-34 22,695 24% 1518.9 1,782 21% 119.3 352 20% 23.6 35-44 16,101 17% 1127.0 1388 16% 97.2 296 16% 20.7 45-54 11,960 13% 855.2 1193 14% 85.3 247 14% 17.7 55-64 9,236 10% 687.6 1175 14% 87.5 239 13% 17.8 65+ 6,876 7% 434.1 1,573 18% 99.3 299 17% 18.9 65-74 4,642 5% 469.8 932 11% 94.3 169 9% 17.1 75-84 1,817 2% 399.3 464 5% 102.0 94 5% 20.7 85+ 417 0% 295.6 177 2% 125.5 36 2% 25.5 Total 93,536 100% 990.5 8,598 100% 52.0 1,797* 100% 16.6 *Total includes fatalities with unreported or unknown age Source: FARS 2021, OASIS 2021; Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Health Indicators for Planning (OHIP) Hospital Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Data. The motor vehicle fatality rate for all person types -- drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and other-- per 100,000 population fluctuated between 2017 and 2021. Figure 6 compares the motor vehicle fatality rate among the older population between 2017 and 2021. The motor vehicle traffic fatality rate for the 85+ age remains the highest compared to other age groups and decreased by 11 percent from 23.3 in 2017 to 20.7 in 2021. The fatality rate for persons in the 65-to-74 and 55-to- 64 age group decreased by 3 percent and 1 percent respectively. The fatality rate for persons less than 55 years of age increased by 18 percent (from 13.4 in 2017 to 15.8 in 2021). Figure 6. Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatality Rates by Age Group per 100,000 Population, 2017 and 2021 85+, 23.3 20.7 65-74, 19.4 18.9 55-64, 18.0 17.8 75-84, 16.6 17.1 15.8 Less than 55, 13.4 2017 2021 Source: FARS 2017 and 2021; OASIS 2017 and 2021 Page 8 Total motor vehicle traffic fatalities among persons 55+ years increased by 7 percent (from 501 fatalities in 2017 to 538 fatalities in 2021), and the 55+ population increased by 10 percent. Figure 7 and Table 8 show the proportion of older persons involved in traffic fatalities for 2017 and 2021. The proportion of older driver fatalities aged 55+ years decreased from 36 percent of all driver fatalities in 2017 to 32 percent in 2021. Fatalities among drivers aged 65+ years decreased slightly from 21 percent of all driver fatalities in 2017 to 19 percent of all driver fatalities in 2021. Older passenger fatalities also slightly decreased from 18 percent of all passenger fatalities in 2017 to 17 percent in 2021. Older motorcyclist fatalities (operator and passenger) aged 55+ years, though a relatively small number, decreased from 22 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities in 2017 to 19 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities in 2021. Additionally, 27 percent of all motorcyclists with a valid motorcycle designation (Class M or MP) on their driver's license were 55-to-64 years old, and 25 percent were 65+ years old in 2021 (Motorcycles Georgia Traffic Safety Facts, 2021 ). Older pedestrian fatalities aged 55+ years increased slightly from 33 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2017 to 34 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2021. Older bicyclist fatalities increased from 40 percent of all bicyclist fatalities in 2017 to 47 percent of all bicyclist fatalities in 2021. (Pedestrians and Bicyclists (Non-Motorists) Georgia Traffic Safety Facts, 2021 ). Figure 7: Proportions of All Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities by Person Type and Age Group, 2017 and 2021 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+ 50% 40% 30% 36%% 20% 11% 10% 15% 0% 2017 26%% 11% 13% 2021 4% 7% 7% 9% 2017 5% 6% 6% 6% 2021 7% 14% 2017 5% 12% 2021 7% 7% 19% 2017 1% 11% 19% 2021 40% 2017 7% 20% 20% 2021 Driver Passenger Motorcyclist Pedestrian Bicyclist Table 8: Proportions of All Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities by Person Type and Age Group, 2017 and 2021 2017 2021 Person Type Age Group Age Group Total Less than 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+ Total Less than 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+ Driver 872 562 130 100 55 25 983 668 129 105 59 21 Fatalities 100% 64% 15% 11% 6% 3% 100% 68% 13% 11% 6% 2% Passenger 254 186 22 17 19 10 282 207 17 18 18 13 Fatalities 100% 73% 9% 7% 7% 4% 100% 73% 6% 6% 6% 5% Motorcyclist 139 109 20 10 -- -- 194 158 24 10 2 -- Fatalities 100% 78% 14% 7% -- -- 100% 81% 12% 5% 1% -- Pedestrian 253 168 48 17 18 1 306 195 58 33 12 2 Fatalities 100% 66% 19% 7% 7% <1% 100% 64% 19% 11% 4% 1% Bicyclist 15 9 6 -- -- -- 15 8 3 3 1 -- Fatalities 100% 60% 40% -- -- -- 100% 53% 20% 20% 7% -- Other 7 4 2 1 -- -- 17 7 8 2 -- Fatalities* 100% 57% 29% 14% -- -- 100% 41% 47% 0% 12% -- All Traffic 1,540 1,038 228 145 92 36 1,797 1,243 239 169 94 36 Fatalities** 100% 67% 15% 9% 6% 2% 100% 69% 13% 9% 5% 2% *Other fatalities include persons on personal conveyances, unknown occupant type in a motor vehicle in-transport, and persons in/on buildings. **All traffic fatalities include persons with unknown ages Source: FARS 2017 and 2021 Page 9 Older Pedestrian Fatal and Serious Injuries In 2021, pedestrians aged 65+ years represented 8 percent of all pedestrians involved in crashes (224 out of 2,741), 8 percent of all pedestrian serious injuries (47 out of 572), and 15 percent of all pedestrian fatalities (47 out of 306). Pedestrians aged 65+ years may be more vulnerable in traffic crashes because of the fragility that aging brings. As shown in Table 9, the number of pedestrians 65+ years of age that were seriously or fatally injured increased by 18 percent (from 80 in 2020 to 94 in 2021), and the rate of seriously or fatally injured pedestrians 65+ years increased by 17 percent (from 5.08 in 2020 to 5.93 in 2021). Table 10 shows the number, percent, and rate of traffic-related pedestrian serious injuries reported for each injury surveillance source for the older pedestrian population aged 65 years and older. Table 9. Older Pedestrian (Aged 65+ Years) Serious Injuries, Fatalities, and Injury Rate, 2017-2021 Year Serious Injury Fatalities Total Serious Injuries and Fatalities Number Annual % Change Population Number Annual % Change Rate Per 100,000 Population Rate Annual % Change 2017 56 36 92 35% 1,407,810 4% 6.53 30% 2018 22 42 64 -30% 1,460,409 4% 4.38 -33% 2019 33 30 63 -2% 1,516,954 4% 4.15 -5% 2020 38 42 80 27% 1,574,667 4% 5.08 22% 2021 47 47 94 18% 1,584,071 1% 5.93 17% Source: CODES 2017- 2021, FARS 2017-2021, OASIS 2017-2021 Table 10. Older Pedestrian (Aged 65+ Years) Traffic-Related Serious Injuries, Percent of Total Serious Injuries, and Rate per 100,000 Population by Age Group and Injury Surveillance Source, 2021 Age Group Police-Reported Suspected Serious Crash Injuries Emergency Medical Services Trauma Center Emergency Room Hospitalizations # Less than 55 435 55-64 71 % 76% 12% Rate # % Rate # % Rate # % Rate # % Rate 5.5 2,264 76% 28.8 797 74% 10.1 1,294 78% 16.4 487 69% 6.2 5.3 424 14% 31.6 166 15% 12.4 222 13% 16.5 125 18% 9.3 65-74 38 7% 75-84 9 2% 3.8 179 6% 18.1 88 8% 8.9 97 6% 9.8 64 9% 6.5 2.0 81 3% 17.8 25 2% 5.5 36 2% 7.9 22 3% 4.8 85+ -- -- -- 22 1% 15.6 3 <1% 2.1 9 1% 6.4 4 1% 2.8 *Total 572 100% 5.3 2,970 100% 27.5 1,079 100% 10.0 1,658 100% 15.4 702 100% 6.5 *Includes twelve suspected serious injuries with unknown age. Source: CODES 2021, DPH-OHIP Hospital Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Only Data 2021, GEMSIS 2021, Georgia Trauma Registry 2021 Page 10 Data Definitions and Considerations: Persons 55-to-64 years old and persons 65 years or older are considered "older drivers" particularly in relation to population, drivers, motor vehicle occupants, and non-motorists. The involvement of older drivers in traffic crashes, serious injury crashes, and fatal crashes does not imply that older drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act. A traffic crash is defined as an incident that involved one or more motor vehicles where at least one vehicle was in transport and the crash originated on a public trafficway, such as a road or highway. Crashes that occurred on private property, including parking lots and driveways, are excluded. Fatal crashes are defined as crashes that involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and that resulted in the death of a motorist or a non-motorist within 30 days of the crash. Serious injuries are those suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement and used when any injury, other than fatal injury, prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities the person was capable of before the injury occurred. Passenger vehicles are defined as passenger cars, light trucks (including vans), Sport Utility Vehicles, and pickup trucks. The Department of Driver Services provided licensing data for the 2021 year. Licensing data by sex and license type was not obtained for the 2017 year. The driver licensing database is a live database system and represents the information at a point-in-time on the date of extraction. Contributing circumstances capture the precrash elements or improper actions of persons (motorcycle operators, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists) that may have caused the crash. Contributing factors in fatal and nonfatal crashes are often underreported in the datasets. There is at least one record per person involved in a fatal crash (FARS Data) and some missing records for persons involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes (Crash Data). For More Information: The two-page Quick Facts for Drivers Aged 55+ Years can be found on the GOHS or DPH websites below: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/georgia-traffic- safety-facts/ https://dph.georgia.gov/injury-epidemiology/crash- outcome-data-evaluation-survey-codes Other 2021 traffic safety facts are available online at the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation Systems (CODES): Non-Motorist (Pedestrians and Bicyclists), Motorcycle Safety, Young Adult Drivers, Distracted Drivers, Risky Driving, Large Trucks, and Occupant Protection. The suggested APA format citation for this document is: Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System. (2023, August). Older Drivers: 2021 data. (Georgia Traffic Safety Facts). Atlanta, GA: Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Page 11