The University of Colorado Denver recently released a study that concluded that most elderly residents agreed that the driving abilities of seniors should be retested periodically. These retests would be to help reduce the risks of car accidents in Phoenix and elsewhere. Most everyone who was surveyed said that they would willingly hand over their car keys if either a doctor or a loved one said that they were not longer to safely drive.”This is where the advance driving directive could come in,” said Emmy Betz, of the University of Colorado. “We would have something in writing that says when the time comes who do you trust to make the decision that you can no longer safely drive?”
Our Phoenix car accident attorneys know the risks that seniors face behind the wheel. With age, unfortunately our senses and abilities deteriorate. It’s important for friends and family members to keep an eye on the senses and abilities of our elderly ones to make sure they’re not at any risks on our roadways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there nearly 6,000 older adults who were killed in traffic accidents in 2008. In addition, there were nearly 200,000 who were injured. With the proper interventions from friends and family members and potential license retesting, we can help to significantly reduce the risks of car accidents on roadways everywhere.
In the latest study released by the University, researchers surveyed more than 120 elderly individuals.
The results revealed:
-More than 70 percent of elderly drivers say they’re in favor of mandatory driver’s license retesting based on a driver’s age.
-About 68 percent said they thought it was Ok for a member of their family to decide when their driver’s license should be taken away.
-Roughly 53 percent said they thought it was Ok for a doctor to decide when their driver’s license should be taken away.
-Nearly 30 percent said that they thought it was Ok for the DMV to determine when their driver’s license should be taken away.
Many things can go wrong when you’re an elderly driver. The senses fade with age. Sight, hearing, reactions, flexibility, etc. deteriorate as you grow older. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. There are also varying outside factors that contribute to the dangers that elderly drivers face. Many elderly drivers are on medications that hinder their ability to operate a motor vehicle. As a matter of fact, the study concluded that the average number of medications taken by one elderly driver was seven.
All factors of aging are a part of life and are in fact unavoidable. But car accidents in Phoenix are avoidable. Families are urged to keep an eye on their elderly loved ones to help ensure they’re not putting themselves and others at risks for a potentially fatal accident. Your care and concern could help to save lives on our roadways.
If you or an elderly member or your family has been injured in a Phoenix car accident, contact the Arizona injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 866-99-ABELS speak directly to a lawyer today. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Drivers Distractions Increasing Risks of Car Accidents in Arizona, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, January 18, 2011
ADOT Warns Motorists of Winter Weather and Risks for Car Accidents in Arizona, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, January 5, 2011