Increasing Problem with Elderly Accidents
An Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Explains
We all are getting older every day. We’ve seen how aging affects our grandparents and other elderly people in our lives. One thing in particular that is affected with age is someone’s driving ability. Many health and safety analysts have indicated that there is a link between traffic accidents and older drivers. There are now more older drivers on the roads than ever before.
Elderly drivers continue to operate their vehicles longer than they should because they are clinging to their independence; however, they are also causing more accidents in Georgia and nationwide.
TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research group based in Washington, DC, recently released information about safety and mobility among older drivers. The report, Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans highlights the states with the highest number of fatal crashes involving older drivers.
Where does Georgia rank?
The TRIP report ranked the State of Georgia 12th in the number of drivers over the age of 65, but the state ranks 5th highest for drivers 65 years old and older involved in fatal crashes in 2010.
During the same year there were 5,750 traffic fatalities nationwide that involved at least one driver over the age of 65. Drivers over 65 years old account for 8 percent of all miles driven, but they account for 17 percent of all fatal traffic crashes in Georgia and throughout the nation.
What can Georgia do to improve this problem?
The TRIP report recommends improving the following things to make all motorists safer, including:
- Roads need to be safer. This includes larger lettering on clearer, brighter signage, brighter street markings and extending the length of exit lanes and merging lanes.
- Drivers need to be safer. Older drivers need to be evaluated for continued licensing and there should be training programs and education for elderly drivers.
- Vehicles need to be safer. Vehicle manufacturers could make vehicles stronger and safer to withstand crashes.
- Choices need to be improved. Increased alternate transportation for older people.
If you were injured in an Atlanta auto accident by an elderly driver or another negligent driver, you may have rights to a recovery. Call a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney at Kalka & Baer LLC to discuss your case in a free consultation.
