As the population in the United States ages there will be an increase of the exposure of the elderly to motor vehicle collisions. The growing population of elderly (65 years and older) Americans is the fastest growing segment of the population. It is estimated that more than 40 million older adults will be licensed drivers by 2020. [1]

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Traffic Safety Facts, in 2005, 191,000 older individuals were injured in traffic crashes accounting for seven percent of all the people injured in traffic crashes during the year. These older individuals made up 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 14 percent of all vehicle occupant fatalities.

There were over 28 million older licensed drivers in 2004 (2005 data not available) - a 17 percent increase from 1994. In contrast, the total number of licensed drivers increased by only 13 percent from 1994 to 2004. Older drivers made up 15 percent of all licensed drivers in 2004, compared with 14 percent in 1994. [2]

Injuries sustained by these individuals tend to be more life altering and life threatening than the same injuries sustained by younger individuals in similar motor vehicle collisions. This paper will examine the injuries sustained by individuals age 65 and older and compare them with injuries sustained by younger individuals (broken down in three additional age groups) in motor vehicle collisions. The long-term effects on their quality of life will also be analyzed.

This paper will focus on those occupants where a Short Form 36 (SF-36) baseline score and at least one follow-up score (at 9 or more months) is available. We will focus on occupants with an Abbreviated Injury Severity Score (AIS) of 3+ or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 8. Relating factors such as crash type, principal direction of force, age and others will be considered. The range of scores in the various levels will be compared and contrasted for the four age groups.