Shocking new statistics: Baby Boomers and road fatalities

Shocking new data shows that Baby Boomers are more likely to be killed on our roads than any other generation.

The Australian Road Deaths Database (ARDD) released this year’s road fatality statistics on Friday, which showed 67 per cent increase in road deaths of those aged between 65-74 in the first half of 2021. The figures also revealed that over a 10-year comparison road deaths have increased by 7.6 per cent.

The sobering statistics showed that 44 per cent of all road deaths are Baby Boomers and Generation X. Perhaps the most alarming piece of data is that the death rate is returning to its 10-year average of 538 deaths per year after experiencing a drop off last year due to lockdowns around the country. The sad reality of the road deaths in Australia is that they are simply too often.

Managing director at LHDLawyers John Abouchrouche said elderly pedestrians were particularly at risk on our roads.

“Data also reveals that seniors are the most likely to suffer a fatal injury while using roads on foot. Twenty-four per cent of all pedestrian deaths are aged 75 and over, with the elderly less likely to hear or see oncoming vehicles,” Abouchrouche said.

He added that despite efforts to reduce road deaths across the country, numbers have largely remained steady.

“Despite best efforts, an alarming number of Australians continue to lose their lives on our roads each year and even more are seriously injured,” he said.

Some other statistics from the ARDD 10-year comparison show that:

• 18 per cent of road fatalities happen on a Saturday
• 7 per cent of road fatalities happen between 3-4pm
• 73 per cent of fatalities are male and only 27 per cent are female
• 29 per cent of road accidents happen on the national/state highway
• 33 per cent of road fatalities happen at over 100km/h
• 24 per cent of accidents happen in major cities

What to do in the event of an accident

If you or a loved one find yourself in a road traffic accident, there are a few things you can do among trying to stay calm. The first thing you should do is stop immediately and make sure you and any other passengers are ok. From then, you should:

• If possible, safely move the vehicle to the side of the road
• Exchange details with the other driver
• Call your insurer

Always make sure to stay as safe and as vigilant as possible while you are driving on the road, especially at high speeds and during holiday season.