Helping seniors make safer transport choices

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Older people are being encouraged to use a new Transport for NSW resource called “The Road Ahead” to help make safe and informed choices on the road.

Older people are being encouraged to use a valuable new Transport for NSW resource called “The Road Ahead” to help them make safe and informed choices about driving and navigating transport networks.

Launched to coincide with this year’s NSW Seniors Festival (March 11-24) this 28-page booklet was created as a direct response to the growing number of the state’s drivers retaining their licence for longer.

Statistics show that with increased age, the number of fatalities also increase. For example, in the five years between 2018 to 2022, drivers aged over 70 accounted for 10 per cent of all road fatalities.

Transport for NSW created The Road Ahead to assist older people in making safer decisions when driving, riding, walking, or catching public transport.

This is part of the NSW government’s 2026 Road Safety Action Plan which features new targets to halve deaths and reduce serious injuries by 30 percent on NSW roads by 2030.

Sally Webb, Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW, said this digital booklet contains resources for older drivers on how to make informed decisions about driving safely.

“Older drivers are encouraged to consider the impact their health may be having on their driving ability. Seeking advice from their GP to properly assess how their health may impact their driving ability is crucial,” Ms Webb said.

“The resource encourages older adults to consider their transition from full-time driving to getting around using other modes such as public transport.”

“It is everyone’s responsibility to be on the lookout for warning signs that an older family member or friend may have reduced driving capabilities,” Ms Webb said.

Additionally, in April 2022, Transport for NSW and the University of Wollongong released the ‘Driving and staying independent: A decision aid for older drivers’ to help empower older adults to make informed decisions.

To access a copy of the guides and other relevant information for older road users visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/TheRoadAhead, visit your local Service NSW or call 13 22 13.

 

FAST FACTS:

  • The NSW population in 2022 continues to age, with 17.5 per cent (1.4m) aged 65 years and over.
  • Over the five-year period 2018-22, older drivers accounted for 10 per cent of all   fatalities. Preliminary data for 2023 indicates older drivers (aged 70+ years) accounted for 9 per cent of all road fatalities in NSW.
  • Of the 49 pedestrian fatalities in 2022, 55 per cent were aged 60 years or older. Preliminary data for 2023 indicates that there were 47 pedestrian fatalities in 2023, 60 per cent were aged 60 years or older.
  • Drivers aged 75 years or over are four times more likely to be killed in a crash than drivers in their twenties, and drivers aged 85 or over are at least five times more likely.
  • The growth of driver licences for older drivers has increased – 2019 to 2022 there was an increase of 10 per cent (60-74 yo), 29 per cent (75-84 yo) and 26 per cent (85+).

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