Elderly, senior citizen motorists and car accidents in RI

It is a fact of life that elderly drivers and senior citizens are more prone to accidents in Rhode Island. Car accidents are a fact of life, occurring every day without warning. While anyone can be involved in a car accident, the odds increase as we age.

Elderly drivers, like drivers of any age group, can be involved in car accidents. However, there are some factors that may contribute to an increased risk of accidents involving elderly drivers:

Physical and Cognitive Decline: As people age, they may experience physical and cognitive declines that can affect their ability to drive safely. This includes decreased reaction times, vision problems, and cognitive impairments such as dementia.
Medications: Elderly individuals often take multiple medications, some of which may have side effects that impact their ability to drive safely. For instance, drowsiness or dizziness caused by certain medications can increase the risk of accidents.
Reduced Mobility: Age-related physical limitations can make it more difficult for elderly drivers to turn their heads to check blind spots, react quickly to sudden situations, or control the vehicle effectively.
Impaired Vision: Vision problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma, can affect an elderly driver’s ability to see clearly, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions.
Inexperience with Modern Technology: Some elderly drivers may not be as familiar with or comfortable using modern vehicle technology, which can be distracting or difficult to manage.
Comorbid Medical Conditions: Elderly individuals may have other medical conditions that can affect their ability to drive safely, such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis.

It’s important to note that not all elderly drivers pose a risk on the road, and many continue to drive safely well into their senior years. However, there are strategies to help mitigate the potential risks:

Regular Health Checkups: Encouraging elderly drivers to undergo regular checkups with their healthcare providers to monitor their physical and cognitive health can help identify potential issues.
Medication Review: Healthcare providers should review an individual’s medication regimen to minimize any side effects that might impair driving.
Driver’s Education: Offering refresher courses for elderly drivers can help keep their skills up to date and provide information on new vehicle technologies.
Family Involvement: Families of elderly drivers can play a role in monitoring their loved one’s ability to drive safely and discussing alternative transportation options when necessary.
Community Support: Many communities have services and programs to assist elderly individuals with transportation, making it easier for them to maintain their independence without driving.

Ultimately, the goal should be to balance the safety of elderly drivers with their continued independence and mobility. While some elderly drivers may need to cease driving, others can safely continue to do so with appropriate precautions and support.

The Center For Disease Control or CDC, in 2014 determined that 5,700 older adults were killed and over 200,000 were treated in emergency rooms across the United States after car accidents. Because these numbers are high, many states have began tracking accident statistics in various age groups. Below is an overview of Rhode Island’s aging road and accident statistics.

Accidents In The U.S. Involving Aging / Elderly Drivers

In the United States, millions of aging drivers and senior citizens navigate the highways in an effort to arrive at their destination. Unfortunately, accidents in this age group are high. Fatal automobile crashes statistics in the United States are as follows:

2,614 In 2010
2,457 In 2011
2,470 In 2012
2,500 In 2013

Fatal Accidents In The U.S.- Elderly Drivers

Fatal auto accidents in the U.S. among drivers ages 75 (the elderly) and older are:

2,129 In 2010
2,012 In 2011
1,988 In 2012
2,005 In 2013

“There are 31 Rhode Island residents 100 to 104 years old who still have driver’s licenses. Twenty percent of the state’s 763,844 drivers are 65 and older — six of them for every driver under the age of 19. Sally Strachan, DMV’s administrator from 2008 to 2011 and a previous consultant in the state’s elderly affairs and health services divisions, says the population is aging and there are many issues that “come along with that.” https://www.providencejournal.com/article/20160507/NEWS/160509516

Accidents In Rhode Island Involving Senior Citizens

Below are the accident statistics for the state of Rhode Island, taken among Elderly drivers ages 75 and older who were killed in fatal crashes:

4 In 2010
5 In 2011
5 In 2012
11 In 2013

AAA study about the affects of driving cessation

“A 2015 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that driving cessation in older adults “appears to contribute to a variety of health problems, particularly depression.”

Key findings include that the end of driving correlated with an almost doubled risk of increased depressive symptoms in older adults and reduction by 51 percent the size of their social networks. Former drivers were nearly five times as likely as current drivers to be admitted to long-term care facilities.” Projo

Risk Groups

The risk of fatal accidents begin to rise among drivers who are between the ages of 70 and 74, states the Center For Disease Control or CDC. The highest number of fatal car crashes are in people over 85 years of age. It is believed to be due to the increased risk of medical complications in those over 85 years old, which often occur while driving. No matter which age group was studied, men are more likely to die as a result of a car accident than females, and the aging driver group is no exception.

When aging drivers drive

Aging drivers have the lowest risk of any age group for driving while intoxicated. In addition, these drivers also tend to drive when conditions are safest for them and often avoid driving late at night, during foul weather or at high rates of speed.

Prevention is the key to reducing the number of fatal and serious car accidents among the elderly. Older drivers in the United States. Aging drivers and senior citizens now have more options available to them such as Lyft or Uber, if they feel they should not drive.

Does RI suspend elderly drivers license?

“The DMV rarely suspends driver’s licenses for age-related reasons, the agency’s records show. The division, says administrator Walter R. Craddock, is “fully aware of the important role a driver’s license plays in the lives of many Rhode Islanders. A license helps people hold jobs, attend religious services, volunteer, stay connected to family and friends — in short, provides the independence that helps people thrive in their daily lives.

“With guidance from the Medical Advisory Board, the DMV in rare instances takes the action necessary to protect the public — and license holders themselves — from potential harm.”

Its Medical Advisory Board members are appointed by the governor, and Strachan serves as the “public member representing the elderly.”

Various medical conditions unrelated to age

All of the cases so far in 2016 — 12 through mid-April — involve a license holder charged multiple times with driving under the influence, or people with various medical conditions unrelated to age.” Projo article

“However, a 2012 NTSB report that studied wrong-way collisions in 12 states including Virginia dating back to 1962 found elderly drivers caused a disproportionate share of the wrecks. Of 1,557 wrong-way fatal crashes on divided highways nationally between 2004-09, drivers over age 70 were responsible for about 15%. Winchester star

Fatal wrong-way collisions

“Right-way drivers over the age of 70 represent less than 3% of all right-way drivers involved in fatal wrong-way collisions, while wrong-way drivers over the age of 70 account for about 15% of the wrong-way drivers involved in such collisions,” the report said. “Even without considering the accelerating rates of disease and pathology – and of particular concern to driving, dementia – that are evidenced in older persons, at some point, most older persons are likely to experience an impairing condition serious enough to significantly elevate their risk of accident. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 45 million drivers nationally 65 or older in 2018, a 60% increase since 2000. The NTSB report estimated about 20% of drivers in the U.S. will be 65 or older by 2025 and said the number of elderly drivers is rising. In 2000, 74% of people 70 or older were licensed. By 2009, it was 84%. The report referenced National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines for older drivers, which include improved roadway design and medical reviews of at-risk drivers.” Id.

Rhode Island personal injury attorney, David Slepkow is a Partner at Slepkow Law with a Family tradition of legal excellence since 1932. David is also a RI car accident lawyer who will help you get the justice you deserve as a result of your RI motor vehicle crash.