The Hartford - Family Conversations with Older Drivers

Photo - Are Older Drivers at Risk? Statistics indicate that most older adults are safe drivers, with high safety belt use and few citations for speeding, reckless driving or alcohol-related charges. In fact, the actual number of accidents involving older drivers decreases as age increases. Experts attribute this decline to self-imposed limitations, such as:

Driving fewer miles.
Avoiding driving at night and during bad weather.
Steering clear of rush-hour traffic.

For older drivers, the rate of fatalities increases slightly after age 65 and significantly after age 75. This higher rate is due to the increased inability to withstand the physical trauma that often occurs with age. However, medical conditions, medication usage and reduced physical function can increase the risk of accidents and injury among older adults, especially after age 75, when the risk of being involved in a collision increases for every mile they drive.

The rate of risk for adults over age 75 is nearly equal to the risk of younger drivers age 16 to 24.
The rate of fatalities increases slightly after age 65 and significantly after age 75. This higher rate is due to the increased inability to withstand the physical trauma that often occurs with age.

These statistics help you see the risk for older drivers. However, the decision to limit driving depends on each individual. Each family must ask, “Is my older relative safe?”