Elderly drivers are most dangerous at intersections

Elderly drivers pose certain risks on the road, and it’s important for other drivers to be aware of that. Specifically, they cause a high percentage of accidents at intersections.

According to the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, a full 50 percent of those 85 years old and older who were involved in deadly crashes were at intersections when the crashes occurred. Clearly, this is an area where they often struggle, and it can put other drivers who have not made any mistakes at risk.

For instance, a study looked at drivers between the ages of 70 and 79 and discovered that the main issue that caused these crashes was just that they thought it was safe to proceed when it was not. For example, another car may have been legally approaching the intersection, at a two-way stop, when an elderly driver thought he or she had enough room and pulled out in front of the car.

For older drivers at least 80 years old, the problem was perhaps even more frightening. They did not misjudge the speed or distance of the other car. They just didn’t see it.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2008, 22 million adults with drivers licenses were at least 70 years old or older.

Have you been injured in a car accident with someone who made a simple mistake due to aging? It’s unfortunate, but the elderly often cling to their licenses even when it’s no longer safe, wanting that freedom. It’s important for you to know what legal options you have after a crash.

Source: Slate, “Give Me the Keys, Dad,” Emily Yoffe, accessed Dec. 08, 2017