As we age, it can be hard to hold onto our independence. From arthritic knees to other chronic health conditions, one of the last vestiges of freedom for a lot of elderly people is their ability to drive a car. But while holding onto your independence might seem like a good way to get a morale boost, it can actually put the people around you in danger of injury or even death.
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, drivers between the ages of 70 and 74 are noticeably more likely to get involved in a fatal crash than their younger counterparts. As a driver's age increases, so do the risk of an accident.
Though the CDC admits many of the injuries suffered by elderly people in motor vehicle crashes have to do with how frail and vulnerable their bodies are, the government agency points out that many crashes are the direct result of age-related conditions such as decreased visual acuteness, poor muscle control, and cognitive delays or mix-ups. When we add these together, we see that it's not just elderly drivers who are in danger of injury or death, other drivers are as well.
It's very important for readers of our blog to know about the dangers of driving at an older age because a driver who is aware of the fact that they are a danger to others and still continues to drive may be found negligent in a crash. They might even be forced to pay compensation to the injured person they ran into.
Source: The Centers for Disease Control, "Older Adult Drivers," Accessed Jan. 8, 2016