INVOLVEMENT OF THE OLDER POPULATION IN TRAFFIC FATALITIES, 1998 AND 2008
  1998 2008 Percent  change,
1998-2008   
   Age 65+   
   Age 65 +
     
  Total Number Percent of total Total Number Percent of total Total Age 65+
Population (000) 270,248 34,385 12.7% 304,060 38,870 12.8% 13% 13%
Drivers involved in fatal crashes 56,604 6,690 11.8 50,186 5,569 11.1 -11 -17
Driver fatalities 24,743 4,188 16.9 24,175 3,458 14.3 -2 -17
Total traffic fatalities 41,501 7,288 17.6 37,261 5,533 14.8 -10 -24
Occupant fatalities 35,382 6,035 17.1 31,979 4,618 14.4 -10 -23
Pedestrian fatalities 5,228 1,176 22.5 4,378 803 18.3 -16 -32

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.