Adults over age 65 are the fastest-growing population segment. About 26 million of them driving on the roads. Older men are twice as likely to have car-crash related injuries as older women.

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Have higher crash death rates than other adults, but less than teenagers

Usually drive during the day, so 81 percent of their traffic fatalities occur in daylight

Are more likely to die of their car-crash injuries than are younger drivers

Are more likely to have age-related vision and hearing problems

Are more likely to have cognitive or physical impairments that would affect their ability to drive

In one study, drivers over age 65 did not pose any greater risk of serious injury or death for others than did younger drivers.

And older drivers take more precautions than do other drivers:

• By wearing safety belts more often than any other age groups besides children
  
  
• By limiting their driving to daytimes and good weather conditions
  
  
• By driving fewer miles than other drivers
  
  
• By drinking and driving less often than other adult drivers