AgingCare Article: 20 Warning Signs an Elderly Driver is No Longer Safe Behind the Wheel

We’ve all heard stories about the dangers of elderly drivers. A senior woman accidentally hits the gas instead of the brake pedal and crashes into a building. A 90-year-old man backs his Cadillac onto a sidewalk, striking several people. Not only can unsafe elderly drivers kill or injure themselves while on the road, but they can also seriously endanger other drivers and pedestrians.

Driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent, but the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as people age. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in car accidents. In fact, 2019 data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that more than 20 older adults are killed and approximately 700 are injured in motor vehicle crashes each day. For these reasons, it is imperative for families to keep a close eye on their aging loved ones’ driving abilities and habits.

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