Elderly Drivers and Accidents

The older we get, the more likely we are to have trouble driving. Driving requires sharp senses and the ability to react quickly in a given situation. Elderly drivers are at an increased risk of getting into an accident. In 2020, 7,902 adults over the age of 65 died in motor vehicle accidents. 

If you are a senior citizen and have been involved in a car accident or have a loved one that suffered injuries or died in a car accident, you need experienced legal representation. The car accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. are here to answer any questions you may have.

The Dangers of Aging & Driving

As we age, the following may be affected, infringing on our ability to drive:

• Reflexes: elderly drivers are less able to make split-second decisions
• Shortened attention span: elderly drivers may have diminished cognitive abilities and be unable to give their full attention to the road
• Eyesight: elderly drivers will not be able to see images as clearly and may be bothered by the glare from the sunlight or headlights at night
• Hearing: elderly drivers usually suffer from decreased hearing, meaning that they may not hear an ambulance or other car horn warning them of danger
• Stiff joints: elderly drivers may not be able to easily adjust their position or turn their neck to see properly behind them when their vehicle is in reverse

Adding to the above-listed issues, older drivers often take more medications, which can have dangerous side effects. Drivers who take medications may experience drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or blurred vision, to name a few.

Vision Problems in Older Adults

Sadly, a variety of vision problems can plague elderly drivers. Elderly drivers may be unable to see objects clearly, have poor depth perception, or even have diminished peripheral vision. 

Peripheral vision is the ability to see to the side without turning our heads. When we drive, we utilize our peripheral vision, often without realizing it. Older adults who have lost some of their peripheral vision are unable to see the entire span of the road, which can result in a crash.

Older adults often experience vision loss due to eye diseases. For instance, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts are more commonly found in adults ages 65 and older. All three diseases can cause the loss of a person’s central vision. Although glaucoma mostly affects peripheral vision, in its more advanced stages, it can result in central vision loss.

Frankly, vision loss coupled with slowed reaction times causes senior citizens to be at greater risk in the driver’s seat.

Why Do Our Reflexes Slow as We Age?

The older we get, the more slowly we react. Elderly drivers are notoriously known to have slow reaction times. But what is the reason for this?

Simply stated, older adults take longer to process information and prepare movements in response. While it may be assumed that older adults are more hesitant in an attempt to be “careful” drivers, this is not the case. 

The brain’s chemistry changes as we age. Blood flow in the brain may decrease, and certain parts of the brain begin to shrink. Most notably, the prefrontal cortex, located at the front part of the frontal lobe, begins to shrivel. This would directly impact driving since the prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making and planning. 

When one part of the brain begins to shrink, the communications between nerve cells (neurons) will also weaken since there are fewer pathways available. The brain’s aging process is a significant factor contributing to accidents for elderly drivers.

Are Elderly Drivers in More Accidents than Teen Drivers?

Approximately 7,500 elderly drivers were killed in car crashes in 2020, compared to 2,800 teenage drivers in 2020. In contrast, 227,000 teens were injured in crashes in 2020, compared to just under 200,000 elderly drivers.

Teenage drivers lack the experience to identify dangerous situations. While an elderly driver may lack a fast response time, teen drivers may react quickly to a situation but in the wrong way.

On the flip side, older drivers are more prone to injuries due to their advanced age. Although older adults may have more experience on the road, they are not immune from serious injuries or death.

Why are Intersections so Dangerous for Elderly Drivers?

Many crashes in people over the age of 70 happen at intersections due to their inability to clearly see road signs and pavement markings.

Modifications to intersections that come at minimal costs, such as making traffic signals more visible, would reduce the risk of injury crashes by 13 percent for drivers 65 and older.

Transforming intersections from traffic signals or stop signs to roundabouts has been shown to reduce the risk of injury crashes by as much as 76 percent.

Such roadway modifications could make a big difference in keeping elderly drivers safer and feeling more confident.

California Driving Laws for Seniors

The state of California realizes that seniors still want to retain independence. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is working to ensure that senior drivers are able to continue driving in the safest way possible.

California DMV requires that all drivers have a minimum vision of 20/40. Drivers that do not meet this standard, but have a vision that is no worse than 20/70 in both eyes, will be issued a temporary license by California. This will allow these drivers to schedule a visit with their eye specialist to obtain the vision correction they need.

The DMV may require some older adults to take a behind-the-wheel test. This may be done if you did not meet the minimum vision requirements or upon request by a Driver Safety office. The driving exam may be requested by a police officer, doctor, or relative due to a medical condition you have that may inhibit your driving.

The DMV puts these restrictions into place in order to ensure everyone’s safety behind the wheel.

A San Francisco Car Accident Attorney Serving You

The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. knows that as you age is important for you to maintain your independence. If you have been involved in a car accident, our car accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. You don’t pay unless you win. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.