Under the title The elderly, driving at 70 and 80, recognised experts, policymakers and medical experts spent the morning debating on road safety for the over 70s in the different roles they may have during journeys (as drivers, passengers or pedestrians).
With the participation of Valentí Fuster, managing director of the Carlos III National Cardiovascular Research Centre (CNIC) in Madrid and director of the Cardiovascular Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York; María Seguí, director of the DGT (Directorate-General of Traffic); Martí Boada, scientific advisor to the Abertis Foundation and researcher at ICTA (Institute for Environmental Science and Technology) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; Joan J. Isern, director of the SCT (Catalan Transit Service); Ole Thorson, chairman of P(A)T (Association for the Prevention of Traffic Accidents); Salvador Alemany, Chairman of Abertis and of the Abertis Foundation; Antoni Español, managing director of Abertis Autopistas España, and Sergi Loughney, director of Institutional Relations at Abertis and director of the Abertis Foundation.
The debate revolved around the constant increase of the population aged over 65 and that it accounts for 10% of the 30 million drivers in Spain. According to data from the DGT (Directorate-General of Traffic), it should be noted that 90% of drivers continue to drive after the age of 60.
The latest statistics published last year for the whole of Spain by the competent bodies show a 2% increase in fatalities among drivers over the age of 65 (476 deaths). The experts indicated that as in most areas of life, the increase in age should not be interpreted as a physical or mental impediment, given that on many occasions those over the age of 70 are in better condition to drive safely compared to those of a lower age.
This session forms part of the Road Safety Programme that the Abertis Foundation is carrying out in all the countries where the Abertis Group has operations (Brazil, Spain, France, Puerto Rico and Chile). It is organised along four lines of action: education in schools, dissemination activities, raising awareness, such as the “You only have one life, don’t lose it on the road” campaign which is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 30, and, the promotion of campaigns to raise awareness in collaboration with specialised centres such as the Guttman Institute or the National Paraplegic Hospital in Toledo.
The Abertis Foundation is a leader in carrying out informative actions and raising awareness in relation to road safety aimed at elderly drivers and pedestrians.
Photos (Flickr)
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