Involvement of Older Drivers in Road Crashes in Slovenia: A Ten-Year Analysis of At-Fault and Non-at-Fault Crashes for Sustainable and Safe Mobility

Population ageing is increasing the number of older adults who continue driving and remain active road users. At the same time, age-related changes in visual, cognitive, and physical abilities may affect driving performance and road safety. Therefore, this study aims to analyse road crashes involving older passenger car drivers in Slovenia and to compare crashes in which older drivers were at fault with those in which they were not. The study uses police-reported road crash data obtained from the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency for the period of 2016–2025 and includes passenger car drivers aged 65 years and older. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to examine crash characteristics, while regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with crash severity. The results show an increase in the annual number of crashes involving older drivers during the study period. Older drivers were at fault in approximately 69% of the analysed crashes. Most crashes resulted in no injuries or slight injuries, while differences between at-fault and non-at-fault crashes were observed across several crash characteristics. Regression analysis identified several factors associated with crash severity, with crash responsibility being one of the most significant. These findings provide a better understanding of road crashes involving older drivers and, in this way, may contribute to the development of sustainable road safety strategies that seek to reduce severe crash consequences while supporting the continued mobility and independence of older adults.