It is A Proven Fact That Elderly Drivers Are More Prone to Accidents, But Does That Mean That Your Grandma or Grandpa Needs to Give Up Their Driving Privileges?
Older drivers are increasingly at risk for causing and being involved in motor vehicle accidents. Partly this is due to older drivers suffering strokes and other medical conditions which affect and impair their ability to control their vehicle on the road. Partly it is due to decreased reaction times which make it less likely for elderly drivers to stop in time or otherwise avoid auto accidents. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), the crash rate per mile driven begins to increase after age 65. Traffic accidents are the second largest cause of accidental death for adults 75 to 84 years of age, second only to serious falls. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for adults 65 to 74 year olds.
Some common accidents that elderly drivers are involved in are when they fail to yield the right of way and make an unsafe left turn in front of oncoming traffic at a busy intersection. Otherwise, a rear end car accident for failing to stop in time is the most common form of accident caused by older drivers.
Getting older though does not mean that our elders, including our grandparents, need to give up their ability and privilege to driver. Elderly drivers need to keep physically fit, get their eyes and vision checked, be aware of the side-effects of the medication they are taking, and pay attention to their reflexes and mental abilities can keep older drivers on the road safely for longer.
If you are wondering whether you or a loved one should stop driving because of the risk they pose to themselves and others, ask the following questions. According to the NHTSA, a "yes" answer to any of these questions means that the elderly driver's safety is at an increased risk and they may want to investigate alternative transportation.
- Has the driver become lost on familiar routes?
- Have you noticed new dents or scratches on the elderly driver's car?
- Has the driver become overwhelmed by the number of road signs?
- Have you heard other drivers honking at your driver more than previously?
- Has the driver been told to stop or limit driving by a doctor?
- Have you noticed that others refuse rides from the driver?
- Have you heard the driver's friends and family voice concerns?
- Has the driver recently received a ticket for failure to stop or yield the right of way to another driver?
If you have found yourself answering "yes" to more than one question, it may be time to consider taking away your elderly driver's driving privileges.
Please follow the San Diego personal injury lawyers of the Jurewitz Law Group through the following social networking sites. Click on any button for inside information and updates regarding hot topics in personal injury law, car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck wrecks, dog bite attacks, slip and fall accidents, bicycle crashes, and pedestrian injuries.
