What You Need to Know About Older Florida Drivers and Car Accidents
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
Since Florida is affectionately known nationwide as the sunshine state, it is no surprise that older visitors flock here during the winter months to escape the blistering cold that accompanies living up north. Most of these migrating visitors are retirees and older people also known as snowbirds.For years now, Florida has ranked highly when it comes to car accidents in the state. It has also proven time and time again to be the setting for a higher percentage of car crash fatalities for senior drivers.
Today, we will take a look at what you need to know about older Florida drivers and car accidents.
Who Is Considered an Older Driver?
Many think of older people as those over the age of 60. According to many car accident statistics, there are more drivers over the age of 65, so we can consider this the median age.
What Are the Dangers?
As of 2019, there were reportedly four million senior citizens in the state, making up approximately 20 percent of our total population. Since accidents are more likely within the 65 and older age bracket, the risk of accidents increases.
The rise in car accidents among seniors may be attributed to the decline in their health. To be a safe driver, you need to have a good reaction time. Senior citizens often begin to experience a decline in perception and cognition, which is why many accidents occur within this age group.
What Does This Mean?
We aren't setting out to shame older drivers. We just want all motorists to be aware of the dangers and risks involved when driving on Florida's roadways. With that being said, here are a few things you can do as a motorist to remain safe:
• Always wear your seatbelt
• Make sure you are not taking any medications that can affect your driving ability
• Drive when the weather is good, and the road conditions are fair
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Only drive along well-lit streets at night, with improved visibility
Common Causes of Car Accidents for Older Motorists
With the exception of motorists under the age of 20, seniors make up a good majority of motor vehicle fatalities than any other group of motorists. This can be due to various reasons, including a decline in cognitive function and a lack of self-awareness from the older population.
Here are a few of the more common causes of car accidents for older motorists:
• Failure to stop at a red light
• Improper left hand turns in front of a motorcyclist or bicyclist
• Driving under the speed limit
• Braking unexpectedly and disrupting traffic flow
• Driving the wrong way on roadways and through parking lots
• Failure to accurately judge distance
• Improper lane changes
• Failure to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk or intersection
• Driving at night when visibility is less than ideal
• Distractions that current health conditions may cause
Online Screening Program
It is important to identify an older driver's capabilities to ensure they are not a risk while on the roadway. To do this, you can use the NHTSA’s online screening program. It is an easy-to-access tool that involves asking seniors a series of questions to screen for safe driving habits.
questions you will find include how familiar their route is, any new scratches or dents on the car, have they recently received a driving violation ticket and have been advised to stop or limit their driving due to health reasons.
These and other questions can help determine if appropriate steps need to be taken because of the driver's capabilities or lack thereof.
If you have been involved in a car accident with an older motorist, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to see if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.