The risks of sharing the road with elderly and teen drivers

On Behalf of | Jan 27, 2021 | motor vehicle accidents | 0 comments

Your mother’s latest car accident seems to be the last straw. As a driver, she has been involved in four collisions in the past six months. The first two were relatively minor fender-benders when she lurched into a traffic sign and then a pillar inside a parking ramp.

However, the seriousness of those accidents progressed until finally she rear-ended another vehicle at a stoplight. Although that driver sustained minor injuries, you recognize that your elderly mother is a likely candidate for having her driver’s license taken away. You do not want another accident to take place; one that could lead to catastrophic injuries.

Aging and inexperience

Elderly drivers can be just as dangerous as teen drivers. Any driver faces challenges on the road, but these two groups account for the most motor vehicle accidents and roadway fatalities than any other.

While older drivers have more road experience, the aging process takes a toll on their bodies, thus affecting their driving skills. The erosion of physical and cognitive abilities, sometimes, prove a deadly combination for elderly drivers. Declining sight, loss of hearing and slower reflexes are not uncommon among older people.

And we also are well aware of the potential road hazards caused by teen drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers in the 16 to 19 age group are the most at-risk for getting into an accident. They also are three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than other drivers.

It is essential to take proper precautions when driving on highways. This also entails being alert and vigilant when sharing the road with other drivers who include teens and the elderly.