Senior Driving Safety

Some people think that when you reach a certain age it is time for the car keys to be taken away. However, this is not necessarily always the case. To support senior driver safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developed a Drive Well Toolkit for elder drivers and their families. This toolkit is about promoting older driver safety, independence and mobility, not just taking the keys away.

Senior Driver Facts and Statistics

• There were 35 million licensed older drivers in 2011.
• In 2012, 17 percent of all traffic fatalities across the U.S. involved over the age of 65.
• Seniors comprised 9 percent of all the people injured in crashes in 2012.
• From 2003 to 2012, crash fatalities involving older drivers declined by 13 percent.

If you are concerned about a senior driver in your life and his or her safety, it is time to have a conversation with your loved one. This can be a difficult thing to do, especially since driving means independence and freedom at any age. If you do not know if it is time to have the talk with your loved one, the NHTSA has a variety of questions that may help. If the answer to any of the below questions is yes, then it is likely time to have a chat with the senior driver in your life.

Is it Time to Have The Talk?

• Does he or she get lost travelling to and from well known routes?
• Have you noticed new dents or scratches in the vehicle?
• Has he or she caused any collisions recently?
• Do signs, signals or road markings overwhelm him or her?
• Has your loved ones doctor advised limited driving or non-driving because of health issues?
• Does he or she use any medications that can impact driving ability?

While there are steps senior drivers can take to improve their own driving skills, sometimes giving up the keys is what is best. And sometimes auto accidents are caused by the mistakes of others. If you are injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, a Villages Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you understand how to protect your legal rights. We are dedicated to representing Villages residents who have been injured due to the negligence of others. For a free consultation, please call us today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online.