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ROAD SAFETY for SENIORS

Presented by:

Brian EverittManager – RACQ Driver Education

Driver Safety Education & Training - 2649 Logan Rd. Eight Mile Plains Qld 4113

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DRIVER EDUCATION UNIT

Safe Driving Advice

Recommended Driving Schools

Road Safety Lectures

Driver Assessment Service

Driver Education Program

Driver Rehabilitation Program

Years Ahead Program

Provides the following services:

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Fatalities:

Qld Road Toll 1980 - 2006

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Source: Qld Transport

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Casualties by Severity (Qld)

= 12545 people per year OR 35.2 Qld’ers per day

010002000300040005000600070008000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

Hospitalisations Medical Treatment Minor Injury

Source: Qld Transport & Qld Police Service Statistics (2004/5) Transport - Road Traffic Crashes in Queensland

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Traffic Crash Costs

The total cost of road crashes in Australia in 1996 was

conservatively estimated at approximately:

$15 BillionEstimate for 2007: $18-20 Billion

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Qld Road Toll (2005)

5

208

228

191

75 7872

107

45 49

19

49

2038 40 38

18

67

3

66

90

59

9 68 3 9 123 6

0

50

100

150

200

250

0-16 17-25 26-39 40-59 60-69 70+

Age

No.

of

fata

litie

s

DriversPassengersPedestriansMotorcyclesCycles

Source: ATSB Road Deaths Summary, 2005 (includes pillion passengers).

Driver, Passenger, Pedestrian & Motorcyclist Fatalities in Queensland (2004)

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Crash Risk

050

100150200250300350400450

0-19 20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80+

Age Group

Se

rio

us

Inju

ry C

ras

he

s(p

er

bill

ion

km

)

Serious Injury Crash Risk by Driver Age, 1996.

Source: MUARC submission, 2003.

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Years Ahead

The Years Ahead Program is a

(solely) RACQ-funded, free-to-

community, driver awareness

program that informs older

drivers of road safety issues

that may affect them, and

examines ways in which they

can reduce their risk of being

involved in a road crash and

continue driving safer for

longer.

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Years Ahead

The program consists of 3 components:

Years Ahead Workshop presentations on safety issues, awareness and the application of the road rules.

An individual on-road Years Ahead Refresher Drive with a qualified driving instructor.

A comprehensive “Refresh” Handbook on age-related safety issues, defensive driving techniques, road signs and markings and sharing the road with others.

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What is Covered

Road Rules.

Difficult Driving Situations.

Defensive Driving Tips.

Other Road Safety Issues.

Physical Fitness to Drive.

Your Driving Future.

Crash Involvement.

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KNOWING THE ROAD RULES

Most drivers don’t have a clear understanding.

Many drivers are unaware of certain rule changes.

Many are still not aware of the introduction of the Australian Road Rules.

Road rules are provided for guidance, control, and uniformity to ensure the correct and safe movement of vehicles and other road users within an area or length of road.

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Drivers who suffer permanent or long-term medical conditions that adversely affect their ability to drive safely must notify Qld Transport as soon as possible.

Failure to do so may result in a $4500 penalty and licence disqualification.

Medical conditions include (but not limited to): Diabetes (early and late onset) Epilepsy Heart disease Strokes Arthritis and other joint problems Eye problems (eg. Cataracts) Hearing disorders Sleep disorders Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease Depression and other mental health problems Lung disease Injuries and disabilities

MEDICAL CONDITION REPORTING

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•Years Ahead was developed to cater primarily for older drivers,

•RACQ designed, funds and conducts this program,

•We currently have the resources to conduct about 50-60 presentations per year,

•We (try) to travel to regional locations every second year,

•For regional tours we collaborate with Seniors’ groups who promote and coordinate presentations in their area.

•RACQ does not believe this program to be a solution to the current or future road toll, more as a chance to raise awareness of some issues facing older road users.

……….IN SUMMARY

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‘…a must for all Queenslanders’

Traffic and Safety Department. 179 Water St. Spring Hill Qld 4006

Presented by:

Brian EverittManager - Driver Education

SAFE DRIVING