In Georgia and across the nation, the road will be a mix of people behind the wheel. There are some demographics that are of greater concern for being in motor vehicle accidents. Researchers seek to assess the causes of auto crashes to determine how best to reduce their frequency, prevent injuries and save lives. Older drivers are a common concern when on the road. According to a study from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Georgia is fifth in the nation for the highest number of auto accident involving drivers who are 65 and older.
This is based on the population and for every 100,000 people and it is worrisome because almost 20% of drivers are older than 65. In addition, the population of elderly people is rising. In the last decade, it has increased by more than 30%. For 2017, older drivers were in 14% of the fatal crashes. An estimated 42 million people 65 and older have a driver’s license. That is a rise of 60% when compared to 20 years ago. Also, people who are in that age range are dying in these accidents in greater numbers than they did in the past.
There has been a reduction in overall traffic deaths in the last 10 years. Still, with the statistics, there has been a major increase in deaths for people 65 and older. The combination of more having driver’s licenses is viewed as a reason. In 2017, there are approximately 7,000 people 65 and older who were in a fatal crash. The statistics are concerning, and while younger drivers can be dangerous, it is important to remember that younger drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were in around 8% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents – that is slightly less than half of the number of older drivers who were in a fatal auto crash.
There are signs that people should no longer behind the wheel when they reach a certain age. Having issues with their senses; losing concentration; motor control problems and reduced reaction time are signals that the person should no longer drive. When there is a crash, it is imperative to think about all the potential causes as this can be a foundational part of a legal filing. Injuries and death can come from motor vehicle accidents and the personal, emotional and financial costs can be exorbitant. A law firm experienced in investigating crashes and researching statistics can be of assistance in filing a claim to be compensated.
