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Home : Personal Injury : Automobile Accidents : Law Articles : Elderly Drivers and Automotive Accidents

Elderly Drivers and Automotive Accidents

In the United States, it is difficult to survive without a car — it represents our freedom and independence. As the population ages, more and more older drivers take to the streets. Most are safe drivers; however, age changes our bodies and we are not as limber, we cannot see as well, and our reaction times diminish. Many cities and rural areas do not have convenient mass transit options. Therefore, those elderly drivers continue to drive, which may not be the best idea.

Take, for example, George Russell Weller, an 85-year-old man who drove through a crowd in a Santa Monica street market, killing ten people and injuring more than 70. Fatal crashes involving older drivers continue to increase, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Male drivers 65 and older have a greater chance of being involved in a motor vehicle death than do females in the same age category. Also, according to AARP, older drivers' typical violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning, and incorrect lane changing. Generally, older drivers have problems in driving situations that require quick response, full vision, and interaction with other drivers.

Risks faced by elderly drivers

Health issues and medications can impair driving capability at any age. Something as simple as eye drops can cause an inability to adjust to low light or sudden brightness. Arthritis can decrease reaction time and diabetes can cause a loss of sensation in the feet, which prevents a driver from gauging the right amount of pressure to apply to the brake or gas pedal. Older drivers may not be aware of these limitations and others, such as trouble recognizing traffic signs and signals or not hearing emergency sirens. Family and friends should be cognizant of these limitations and discourage their elderly loved ones from driving or suggest one or more of the safety tips below.

Safety tips and suggestions for elderly drivers

We cannot expect everyone to surrender their drivers' license at age 65. However, elderly drivers can take precautions such as:
  • Scheduling periodic eye exams and update their eyeglass prescription if needed;
  • Increasing the brightness on the vehicle's instrument panel;
  • Choosing a car with automatic transmission;
  • Avoiding driving in bad weather;
  • Taking easier routes and avoiding rush hours;
  • Allowing plenty of time to arrive at the planned destination;
  • Considering alternate means of transportation such as a bus, taxi or family.

To drive or not to drive?

Older drivers need not give up their licenses, but should investigate ways to improve their skills. For instance, the AARP Driver Safety Program teaches defensive driving techniques that are applicable for all ages and added information on age-related cognitive and physical changes that affect driving, and how to adjust driving in response to those changes. AARP offers this course online and in a classroom, and participants who complete the course can qualify for automobile insurance discounts.

If you have been involved in an accident with an elderly driver or your elderly relative has suffered an auto injury, it is advisable to contact an experienced auto accident attorney.  Your car crash lawyer can help you file an auto accident suit if necessary and assist you in recovering damages related to injury and destruction of personal property. 

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