Every day, over 500 older adult drivers are injured in car crashes.
As you age, you lose flexibility and the ability to quickly react to an impending danger, making elderly drivers more likely than younger drivers to be involved in a car accident. However, a new study by AAA Foundation looked at how driving impacts the health and well-being of elderly people. The study found that drivers in the age group of 65 or older are more likely to suffer serious health issues when they stop driving permanently.
Loss of Independence
People in the age group of 65 or older represent a large percentage of the population in the U.S. According to the latest statistics, more than eight out of ten Americans in the age group of 65 or older are continuing to drive. Of the remaining 20 percent, some people have decided to give up driving while others have lost their driver’s license due to a traffic violation. Elderly people aged 65 or older who have stopped driving are at risk for:
- higher risk of depression
- less productive
- lack the urge to socialize or take part in social activities
- loss of friends
- decrease of cognitive functioning
- are more likely to be moved to a care home
Is Your Elderly Loved One Safe?
Elderly people should be given the opportunity to drive on their own, but not at the cost of their safety and that of other drivers and passengers on the roads. (Click here to learn who are at risk for a car accident). Whether a person should continue driving depends on a number of factors, including current health conditions and the driving history of the person. Friends and family members of a person can play a major role in giving the person the right advice in this regard.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact a Chicago car accident attorney to understand your legal rights. Call Willens & Baez at (312) 957-4166 for a free consultation.
