Our average age of our population is rising as Baby Boomers approach retirement age.  Because age can diminish physical and mental skills associated with safe driving, some older drivers pose a greater risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.  However, evidence also exists that the extra caution exercised by older drivers combined with their extensive experience dealing with driving hazards can make a certain segment of elderly drivers among the safest.  Because most states do not screen drivers based on age to distinguish the model drivers from motorists with diminished driving ability, seniors who pose a significant risk to their own safety and the well-being of others on the road continue to be issued driver’s licenses without any health screening.  While trying to distinguish these two categories of elderly drivers can be difficult, a new study that links prior falls to collision risk amongst older motorists provides some interesting information.

The new study, published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, was conducted by both the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus.  The study examined data involving individuals 65 and older between the years of 1998 and 2010.  Twelve million seniors will suffer a fall, and the numbers are rising annually.  The researchers found that the prevalence of falls during this period rose eight percent, which amounts to nearly a thirty percent increase.  The study concluded that senior drivers who have a history of falls are subject to a forty percent higher risk of being involved in a crash.

Since there are an increasing number of drivers that are age 80 or older, the result might not appear startling.  However, the results show the increase in falls among the elderly involve more than just changing demographics.  The study found that the two-year prevalence of falls increased an estimated 28 percent in 1998 and 36 percent in 2010.  Further, these seniors who experienced falls were forced to overcome additional limitations when driving.

The report provided a number of factors that explain the link between prior falls and an increased auto accident risk among seniors.  The researchers focused on the following factors:

• When seniors have fallen, they might develop a fear of future falls.  This fear discourages physical activity which can adversely impact driving skills.
• Falls that cause injury can inhibit functional ability by preventing temporary use of a limb.  This type of physical impairment might be manifested in diminished driving skills.

According to the report, the study can be used to improve traffic safety for seniors by using an older motorist’s fall history to determine if he or she is subject to an increased car accident risk.  A way to reduce accident risk among elderly drivers is to focus on health issues that contribute to falls according to the authors of the study.  The report suggests addressing factors like certain medications, slow reaction time, poor balance, vision issues, dizziness, lower body weakness to protect elderly drivers and others with whom they share the road.  Efforts to manage these types of symptoms can aid elderly drivers in improving their functional abilities, which decrease their risk for auto accidents and future falls.

If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you might have a right to financial compensation.  Our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many injury victims in obtaining financial compensation for their injuries.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.