Are Senior Citizens at Higher Risk of Being Involved in a Car Crash?
Road safety is a top priority nationwide, especially with the frequency of car accidents. It is one of the leading causes of injuries and death in the United States. Some populations are more vulnerable to physical damage in traffic accidents, such as elderly drivers and passengers.
Senior driving can be a controversial topic. Are elderly drivers at an increased risk of being involved in car crashes, and what can help protect this age group from dangerous situations? Let’s examine the numbers and then address the problem.
Understanding the Statistics for Elderly Car Accidents
Organizations like the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can keep track of the statistics surrounding passenger vehicle driver deaths and injuries. Examining the data to determine whether elderly passengers are more likely to be involved in auto accidents is crucial.
Overall Accident Rates of Elderly Drivers
When compared to other age groups, senior drivers often have higher accident rates per mile traveled. Typically, the rate of vehicle collisions decreases as drivers age because elderly drivers simply do not drive as much as younger drivers. However, accident rates significantly increase based on miles driven for elderly drivers.
Based on miles driven, the rate of fatal crash involvement increases from 1.7 to 7.6 between the ages of 70 and 85+. For reference, even drivers aged 16-19 have a fatal crash involvement rate of just 4.8 [1].
While accident rates among elderly drivers have decreased over time due to better health and safer vehicles, challenges remain. Increased vigilance and tailored safety measures are essential to address the unique needs of this age group on the road.
Fatality Rates for Motor Vehicle Crashes
Senior drivers face higher fatality rates for several reasons. First, their reactions are slower, making them more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. Second, their bodies are physically declining, so even minor accidents can result in life-threatening injuries.
Per mile and per capita are very different measurements. If you base these statistics on per capita, they show that elderly drivers get into accidents at a much lower rate than other age groups. However, this needs to consider the number of miles traveled, as younger drivers log far more miles.
Once you have comparable miles driven, the rate of fatal crashes is much higher for elderly drivers. The rate of fatal crashes per 100 million miles is 1.7 for ages 70-74, 2.1 for ages 75-79, 4.3 for ages 80-84, and 7.6 for ages 85 and above [1].
Types of Accidents Seniors Are Prone To
If you are an elderly driver, you may be more prone to certain types of accidents than young drivers. Intersections and turns become more challenging because of vision issues and reaction time. Merging and lane changes are also more difficult because you may need help to turn your head back and forth quickly to check for other road users. Night driving also poses an increased risk for older drivers because your night vision is likely failing.
Factors Contributing to Increased Risk for Older Drivers
Older drivers face unique dangers when they operate vehicles on the road. Many factors contribute to this trend, making it essential to examine your driving abilities as you age.
Physical Changes with Age
Your driving abilities are going to change over time. The older you get, the greater the impact time will have on your body. Some of these physical changes impair driving abilities in older drivers. Reduced vision can affect your peripherals, night vision, and ability to read road signs clearly.
Hearing loss can cause you to not react to sirens or horns. If you lose flexibility, it will be harder to turn your head to check blind spots. Finally, slower reflexes will make it harder to avoid dangerous circumstances on the road.
Cognitive Changes
Older drivers also face cognitive changes that can lead to more car accidents. Reduced processing speed means you will make decisions at a slower rate. You may have a hard time focusing and remaining attentive to your surroundings. If you take prescription medications, side effects could also hamper your abilities.
Experience and Confidence
A higher driver age usually means vast driving experience. Unfortunately, this can work against older drivers by giving them false confidence. Perhaps you overestimate your abilities and have not yet adapted to new limitations in your body. Senior drivers also tend to avoid new situations because they crave familiarity, leading to less driving practice.
If you are an elderly driver, be honest about your limitations and don’t overestimate your abilities because of experience.
Mitigating the Risks: What Can Be Done?
All licensed drivers should take action to reduce the risk of being involved in a crash. For elderly drivers, this is even more important since they are at a higher risk of injuries and motor vehicle fatalities from these collisions. Here are a few tips to protect yourself as an elderly driver.
Regular Health Check-Ups
Monitoring your health is crucial if you want to continue driving. Older adult drivers should take regular hearing and vision tests to check for hearing or vision loss. Medication reviews are also essential to ensure that prescribed drugs do not negatively impact driving. An overall fitness assessment would help determine your body’s condition. The healthier you are, the more likely you are to retain your driving skills.
Driver Education Programs
Driving on the road today is not the same as driving 30 years ago. Vehicles, signage, rules, and technologies have changed, which means aging drivers may be behind the times in terms of best practices. Refresher courses can help drivers stay updated on safe driving practices, and some of these courses cater to the older age group.
Technology adaptation training can also help older drivers understand newer vehicles and technologies. This training can protect them from the risk of fatal accidents.
Family Conversations and Interventions
Your support network should also help address your transportation needs. Honest conversations with family members can help senior drivers voice their concerns about driving. In some cases, these conversations may be more of an intervention, where the family tells the older driver that their abilities are declining.
This conversation can help those 65 and over gradually transition to alternative transportation. Although challenging, these strategies are necessary to help older adult drivers avoid motor vehicle deaths.
Vehicle Safety Features
Technology can also be helpful for an elderly driver. Some innovations, such as advanced driver assistance systems, can help drivers ages 65 and over operate their motor vehicles. Other simple changes, such as larger mirrors and swivel seats, can also help.
As you get older, you might want to consider purchasing a car with these upgrades or changing your current vehicle to adapt to your changing needs.
Legal and Insurance Implications
The age of a driver also has implications legally and for insurance. Younger drivers may not have to worry about the same considerations that more advanced age groups do. Here are some elements to keep in mind as an older driver.
Age and License Renewal
States have varying rules for drivers who are 65 and older. Driver’s license renewal is often more frequent once you reach a certain age. Some states will also have vision test requirements at each renewal to ensure you are not struggling with impaired vision. If your vision is failing, your license will include information about what lenses must be worn when you are driving.
In some cases, states may issue restricted licenses to older drivers, limiting their driving to certain times of day and specific areas or prohibiting night driving. Understanding the state laws for older driver’s license renewals will help you know what to expect when you move past middle age.
Insurance Premiums for Senior Drivers
Many insurance companies lower premiums as a driver gains more experience, but once that driver hits a certain advanced age, the premiums will increase. This is because drivers 65 and older are more likely to get into motor vehicle collisions based on miles traveled.
However, most of these companies will also offer premium discounts if you take safe driving courses or road tests. If you want to preserve your lower premiums as an experienced driver, you may need to take these extra steps.
Liability in Accidents
If you get into an accident as an older driver, you could get involved in a battle of insurance claims or even personal injury claims. Liability for the accident will depend on who is at fault and if there is evidence to prove it. Elderly individuals have as many legal protections as drivers in every other age group, but because of their age, they are more likely to be at fault.
Whether you are facing property damage liability claims or personal injury lawsuits, hiring a car accident lawyer to handle your case is wise.
Balancing Safety and Independence
As an older individual, you probably want to maintain as much independence as possible. However, this could come at the cost of personal safety. You must learn to balance safety and independence as you make decisions about your driving habits.
If you get involved in a motor vehicle crash as an older driver, Mitch Grissim & Associates is prepared to represent your interests and guide you through the claims process. Our team of lawyers will talk you through your legal options, help you collect evidence to support your case, and negotiate with insurance companies if you deserve compensation for legal damages. Contact our firm today for a free consultation at 615-255-9999 or fill out the online form.
