Senior Accident Rates on the Decline

The increasing number of senior motorists has not, fortunately, translated into a higher rate of accidents and injuries involving these motorists. According to new data that was released recently by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the number of accidents and injuries involving senior drivers is actually on the decline.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report, senior motorists in the United States are now much safer than they were just a few years ago. Thanks to increased auto safety technology, that not just reduces the risk of accidents but also minimizes the risk of injuries or fatalities in an accident, senior drivers are much more likely to return safely home when they are out driving.

There have been a number of concerns voiced recently by geriatric safety experts that the increasing number of senior drivers, who drive well into their 70s and 80s, could increase the risk of accidents involving these motorists. However, the Insurance Institute study found that accident rates involving 80-year-old senior motorists have actually shown some of the steepest declines.

According to the data between 1997 and 2012, fatal accident rates involving licensed senior drivers fell approximately 42% for older drivers. Among middle-aged drivers between the age of 35 and 54, the rates fell by 30%. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that the rates of accidents for senior drivers declined at a much higher speed than the rates of accidents involving motorists in the 35 to 54 age category.

Although driving conditions for senior citizens are much better now than they were a few years ago, it is important for loved ones to monitor the driving skills of senior drivers, and look out for signs of impaired driving skills.