65-year-old rams gas station – is this a new trend?

65-year-old rams gas station – is this a new trend?

There was a strange incident in Wilhelmshaven today when a 65-year-old woman drove her car into a gas station. The car only moved at walking speed and broke through the entrance door until it came to a stop in the sales area. The woman had apparently intended to fill up at a gas pump, but the reason for driving off again remains unclear. The estimated damage is around 10,000 euros. This incident is not the only traffic accident involving an elderly driver, as on the same day an 89-year-old drove her car into a supermarket in Cuxhaven and slightly injured an employee when her car broke through the glass facade. She probably confused the gas and brake, which led to this unfortunate situation. Such incidents are not new to police and shed light on the challenges faced by older drivers.

Traffic accidents among older drivers

Interestingly, a recent study shows that older people, especially those aged 65 and over, were the main cause of traffic accidents with personal injuries in 68.1% of cases in 2023. Among those over 75, this proportion has even risen to 76.7%, which underlines the need to take a closer look at this group of people in traffic. You could say there's something there! On the other hand, younger drivers, especially between the ages of 18 and 25, also cause a high proportion of accidents at 66.1%, which further fuels the discussion about road safety and age groups.

What is particularly striking is that older drivers are less likely to be held responsible for failing to give way or speeding. Instead, they were often held accountable for misconduct when turning or driving in and out. These findings raise questions about the driving habits and behavior of older people and show that there may be a need for specific training and information.

Statistics and trends in road traffic

An analysis of accident statistics shows that 53,093 people aged 65 and over were involved in road traffic accidents in 2023. 1,071 of them lost their lives while 11,485 were seriously injured. The proportion of elderly people among those injured is 14.4%, which is worrying. In addition, the probability of dying in a traffic accident is higher for those over 65 (2.0%) than for younger drivers (0.6%). This shows that older people are often at higher risk of serious injuries as unprotected pedestrians.

In conclusion, it remains to be said that road traffic represents a challenge for older people and that both society and politics are required to find solutions. Whether through education, special driving courses or other measures - it is high time to address this issue and ensure more safety on the roads.

For more information about accident statistics for older drivers, you can view the details on the website Destatis read up. The incidents in Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven show that it is time to keep an eye on road safety, especially when it comes to older people. Stay safe in traffic!