Elderly Drivers and Car Accidents

According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, drivers aged 65 and older were involved in 16-18% of Missouri’s fatal and serious injury crashes over the last three years. In Missouri, 223 people were killed in car crashes involving an elderly driver in 2023. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that crashes involving older drivers are much more likely to occur at intersections due to failure to yield and that the risk of getting into an accident increases after the age of 65.

Preventing Elderly Driver Car Accidents

Are you or a loved one at an increased risk of causing an accident?

As one ages, there are many changes that happen which may alter a person’s ability to drive safely. Increased levels of physical, cognitive and/or visual impairment among elderly drivers are associated with increased risk of crash involvement. Some warning signs that you or a loved one may be at an increased risk for causing an accident:

Multiple car accidents or near misses
New dents or scrapes on the car
Multiple recent traffic tickets or warnings
Comments from others about unsafe or erratic driving
Anxiety about driving at night
Advice from a medical professional regarding limiting driving
Getting lost frequently

Tips to consider for elderly drivers. Most older adults want to maintain independence for as long as possible, which most of the time includes maintaining the ability to drive. Some tips you may want to consider to stay safe if you are an elderly driver:

Avoid driving at times when it is difficult to see, such as sunrise, sunset, and at night
Leave plenty of space between your car and other cars
Limit distractions such as using your cell phone or adjusting the radio while driving
Plan your route ahead of time
Avoid driving in heavy traffic areas and during rush hour

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, please reach out to The A.W. Smith Law Firm for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Resources

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/safe-driving-older-adults

https://www.savemolives.com/mcrs/older-drivers

https://www.iihs.org/topics/older-drivers