Surprising IIHS Study Results
In contrast to much of the narrative about senior drivers, a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that drivers in their seventies are less likely to be in a fatal auto accident compared to middle-aged drivers. This represents a reversal of a trend for this generation. It was once thought that drivers in that age group were a danger to themselves and to others on the roadways, and statistics bore that out. Drivers in that age range not only have fewer deadly accidents per licensed driver, but they also are involved in fewer crashes that are reported to the police than drivers of prime working age.
Some of the reasons for this change are that there are more older drivers now than in the past. Safer vehicles and better health may contribute to this reversal, in addition to changes to licensing policies and infrastructure improvements.
Historically, not only were senior drivers more likely to be involved in accidents than those of other ages, but they were also less likely to live through a crash. Because of the number of Baby Boomers that were expected to continue driving, a potential highway safety crisis was identified by the National Academies in 1988, and changes were slowly implemented. In 1997, fatal car accidents involving senior drivers hit their peak of more than 4,750.
Healthier Seniors On the Road
Better healthcare means older Americans can stay in the workforce and remain active longer, so it makes sense that they continue to drive, and drive more than the group did historically.
From 2010 to 2018, the number of seniors on the road rose nearly two times as quickly as it had in the prior ten years. At the same time, the average yearly mileage of older drivers also increased.
Better health means senior drivers are not as likely to cause an accident due to the onset of medical problems since those issues are delayed. Additionally, older drivers that are involved in collisions are less likely to be killed if they are in good health.
Other Reasons for the Reversal
The reasons for the trend reversal are multifactorial. Highway safety advocates use a systems approach to deal with anticipated problems in order to come up with a more holistic solution. Below are some other factors that probably contributed to the findings that senior drivers have become less of a road concern.
- Vehicles are Safer. The percentage of vehicles registered that have good IIHS crash test ratings increases every year. Safety innovations such as side airbags and back-up cameras have been particularly useful for older drivers.
- Infrastructure Changes. Starting in approximately 1998, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) spurred infrastructure changes that were developed to address problems commonly faced by senior drivers. These changes included making traffic signage easier to see and changing certain intersections into roundabouts.
Continuing Issues With Older Drivers
Despite the fact that they are healthier, drivers who are 70+ are undeniably more fragile than their younger counterparts, so if they are involved in a car crash, they continue to be more likely to suffer permanent or fatal injuries.
Older adults also have a tendency to hold on to their vehicles for longer periods of time, so there is a delay in their reaping the advantages of vehicle safety advancements. Survival rates among this age group may continue to increase as the safety advancements become more widespread throughout the American vehicle fleet.
Watch the YouTube video featuring some of the best cars for older people.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
Thanks for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento with more than 38 years of experience advocating for injured Sacramentans. If you have sustained injuries caused by the negligent actions of another driver, reach out to one of our injury lawyers for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Locally, dial (916) 921-6400, or if you are not in the 916 area code, call toll-free: (800) 404-5400. If your preference is electronic communication, you may fill out our online form.
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