Physical vulnerability

Older adults are more vulnerable than younger adults: their injuries will be more severe given an identical collision impact. With the same impact force, the fatality rate is approximately three times higher for a 75 year old motor vehicle occupant than for an 18 year old [31][32] (see also fatality ratio). The physical vulnerability has the severest consequences during 'unprotected' journeys such as walking and cycling. This physical vulnerability is a less important factor for car drivers, but it still has an influence on injury severity. Physical vulnerability is mainly caused by age-related disorders such as osteoporosis [68].