Are older drivers more dangerous drivers?

 

A:

This is a good question, especially in Florida with our high senior citizen population.

Here are the statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In 2008:

  • Older people accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities and 18% of all pedestrian fatalities. 
  • 80% of these accidents occurred during the daytime, 72% on weekdays and 69% involved other vehicles.  
  • Compared with other drivers, older drivers have a higher fatality rate per mile than any other age group except drivers under the age of 25.  
  • Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among 65 to 74 year olds.
  • Motor vehicle accidents are the second highest cause of death for 75 to 84 year olds, second only to falls.

Compared with younger drivers, whose crashes are generally due to inexperience and risky behavior, older drivers' accidents tend to be related to:

  • inattention,
  • slowed perception,
  • decreased reaction time,
  • changes in vision that may not become apparent until an accident occurs,
  • chronic health problems, and
  • side-effects of medications.

For more information:

Safety tips for elderly drivers.

I am 75.  How can I tell if it is time for me to give up my car keys?




I am local Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, and I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of and/or recovery from a serious accident. 

My Office and I take pride in our work, and the results we get for our clients.  

The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury lawyers, litigators and trial lawyers that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 37 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in their practice as accident attorneys.

We have been proudly representing injured accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Daytona Beach, Dunnellon, Palatka, The Villages, and Alachua County, Marion County, Columbia County, Citrus County, Volusia County, Sumter County, Putnam County  and the entire North and Central Florida since 1971.

For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact my Office at 1 800 373 8000.