Huh? IIHS says senior motorists in fewer deadly crashes
Seniors over the age of 70 have long been associated with unsafe driving, with death rates steadily increasing as more elderly hit the road. At least that's what we thought. A new study by IIHS shows that the death rate of elderly drivers has declined by 21% between 1997 and 2006. The decline was far greater than it was with any other age group, which is even more amazing when considering the fact that elderly drivers increased by 10% during that time. Time behind the wheel has increased as well, with seniors logging far more miles than they have in the past. Some reasons for the decline include healthier, more fit seniors and safer drivers. State governments have also been more diligent in getting unfit seniors off the road with regular skills tests. One study shows that seniors are increasingly aware of the dangers of driving, and limiting drive time at night and on the interstate.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hike15 7:20AM (12/23/2008)
it's because they are never going fast enough to have a deadly crash...
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Kevin 9:41AM (12/23/2008)
Damn, ya' beat me to it.
Mr.Oak 7:55AM (12/23/2008)
They don't get into accidents, they just cause them.
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Joe K. 10:51AM (12/23/2008)
Can I get an Amen?!
That One Person 6:30PM (12/23/2008)
No crap! I almost took out some lady the other night at a four way stop because she decided to coast through the intersection without looking. When I laid on the horn, she stopped right in front of me and stared at me like I was in the wrong...even though I was there first and had come to a complete stop.
And old people constantly pull out in front of ME on major roads when there is not a single car behind me.
andy 7:56AM (12/23/2008)
Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose.
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Fernando 8:01AM (12/23/2008)
Classic!
JN 8:14AM (12/23/2008)
"One study shows that seniors are increasingly aware of the dangers of driving, and limiting drive time at night and on the interstate."
In my grandfather's case, this is certainly true.
At 87, he is still a good driver -- heck, up until a couple of years ago, he was still driving 200-300 miles a day for the local Senior Services agency -- but he retired after having heart bypass surgery, realizing that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't up to the day-to-day grind any longer.
He still drives around town and takes Grandma on the occasional shopping trip, but he knows his limitations. No night driving, and nothing more than 45 miles or so.
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esteva03 9:43AM (12/23/2008)
thanks to your grandpa there is an example of what seniors should thinks about. "He still drives around town and takes Grandma on the occasional shopping trip, but he knows his limitations." i do think that old people shouldn't drive at all but i think some seniors should be tested as to what capabilities they still have and be allowed to drive. good drives will make almost for certain good "old drivers", but then bad drivers could become awful drivers with the coming of old age.
mr.ed 9:54AM (12/23/2008)
I hang with many senior drivers. Some are okay, some inattentive or distracted, some hard of hearing their racing engines or emergency vehicles, some with inner ear problems that reduce their ability to govern acceleration, so they get themselves into situations they can't get out of. Many have no lane discipline, and have decreased vision, particularly at night. Some realize their limitations, some not. They are driving vehicles in good condition, in daylight only, not at rush hour. The statistic that still applies is that they drive low miles, but their accident rate per mile is teenage territory.
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peter haeckl 9:44AM (12/23/2008)
Yes.I have a problem with your driving!
Your seat is in a reclining position! That means :no way you can see over the dashboard.
Also: You are not buckled up!
Also: Your steering wheel is on the wrong side!
Peter
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Judy Zik 9:40AM (12/23/2008)
It's hard to get into a deadly crash when you drive 1/2 whatever the posted limit is and drive huge body on frame vehicles. They are also almost never out after dark when the drunk drivers are on the road causing a good percentage of the deadly crashes. Seniors also rarely tend to be in a hurry and even if they are don't tend to allow it to effect their driving style. Unfortunately they also tend to have trouble staying in lanes causing trouble for everyone around them.
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Ryan 9:41AM (12/23/2008)
This is yet another example of misleading statistics. Notice that they mentioned 'deaths' not accidents. My guess would be that overall driving fatalities are down due to safety technology (airbags, ABS, etc.) and advances in medicine and trauma treatment. The real question would be the incidence of accidents involving and caused by seniors. As a social worker who has spent the last 3 years working with seniors and disabled, I've been pretty horrified by what I've seen and heard. There are people on the road with Alzheimer's who have no idea what they are doing or where they are going because their children don't have the guts for a confrontation over the car keys. It sucks to take away a person's independence but when they jeopardize the safety of others, there is really no choice at all.
If you think the DMV is doing a good job of keeping unsafe drivers off the road, I've got some Enron stock and some swamp land I'd love to make you a deal on.
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Rob 9:41AM (12/23/2008)
I don't know what you guys are trying to spin, but it's always been that young males get into the most DEADLY accidents.
However, senior citizens get into a LOT more accidents than even young males, they just aren't deadly, they're slow and stupid accidents because old people are slow and stupid.
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Pat 9:45AM (12/23/2008)
I wonder if the furniture in that woman's house matches the upholstery in that car!
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Bert 10:17AM (12/23/2008)
Does this include deaths due to running over pedestrians and driving through markets and parks?
Mr. Ed. add to that physical limitation, reduced mobility that effectively increases reaction time (e.g. arthritis), or the inability to react appropriately (e.g. unable to put the brake to floor). Should someone who needs 2 canes to walk be allowed to drive?
My Grandparents also willingly gave up their licenses, they were so happy afterwords. They got driven around everywhere by taxi, for about the same that it cost to run the car.
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Avinash machado 10:20AM (12/23/2008)
Does Kirk Kerkorian still drive?
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happy_penguin 11:32AM (12/23/2008)
The idea that seniors cause more accidents is borne of deflection by young males who in fact cause the most accidents. All people need more testing to ensure that they are fit to drive. If a senior is having dementia or some other age related problem that makes them unfit to drive then they should have their license revoked but until then, let them drive. They're far safer on the road that teenagers.
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Alexander 11:37AM (12/23/2008)
I just love that pic.
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Bob Bigglesworth 12:11PM (12/23/2008)
All seniors (65+?) should have periodic driving exams to ensure they are able to drive safely, not only for themselves but for others (as previous posters have mentioned)
I even will go as far to say that we need to have more stringent driving examinations, harder written test, harder driving test, and even a damn cone course...like other countries do...I personally would not mind a harder to pass process once if that meant I could drive without obstacles every day...
Another note....
For C-sakes, we give liceneses to illegal immigrants who cannot read english (so we give the exams in spanish,korean, chinese, etc, etc, etc) YET ALL OF THE STREET SIGNS ARE IN ENGLISH!!!!!
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