Originally Posted by
Gremlin
(big generalisation) There are pros and cons to every road user group. Younger, less experienced and less able to identify risk, and possibly, depending on their social circle, more risky behaviour (less road worthy vehicles, carrying passengers on wrong licence, drinking and driving etc). However, they also bounce better and heal quicker being younger. Through a lack of funds, possibly less vehicles per person than older people. Likely gone through tougher more recent driving testing.
Older drivers, well, returning riders for example feature heavily in statistics. May be experienced, may not be (have they been riding the whole time, or just getting back into it after a decade or two off). Likely haven't had their driving skills tested in decades, road law knowledge may be out of date. While young people are distracted by their peers, older people could be distracted by their family, kids etc. They may have a more mature attitude to the road, but then I've seen plenty who don't. Drinking and driving still features...
As you get older, your reactions slow, and you don't recover as quickly. Hard part is getting people to acknowledge that...
I agree with everything you say. I know I am generalising but isn't that what statistics do? I know I had a decade or so off. I know my reactions are, perhaps, slower than they were, but having acknowledged that I make allowances and slow down a little more before blind bends, roundabouts, other potential problem areas etc.
"Statistics are used as a drunk uses lampposts - for support, not illumination."
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...thats the entire point of defensive driver/rider training...to make safer & more aware road users out of ordinary people willing to learn the correct & safe way to travel and handle there vehicle in most road conditions...Kinda WHY its called defensive training
(Sorry Ras...but you like a "challenge" aye 
)
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