Older Drivers Not the Most Dangerous: New Study
New RAND Corporation research reveals that drivers over 65 years of age are 16% more likely than the average adult driver to cause an accident, but as a group, they're not the most dangerous -- drivers under 24 years of age are 188% more likely to cause an accident.
The difference in accident rates is partly attributable to the fact that older drivers drive less frequently than younger ones -- older drivers drive 38% less than most adults, while young drivers spend 54% more time behind the wheel than adults. Young drivers are more dangerous overall because they drive more frequently, and because they're also more likely to cause crashes when they do.
The study suggests that older drivers tend to stop driving, or to drive less frequently and take fewer risks, in order to compensate for their declining ability to drive. It also suggests that in general terms, seniors who continue to drive into their old age tend to pose a much lower safety threat than the public might think -- and that young drivers pose a much greater risk than many people realize.
The authors of the study recommend that state motor vehicle departments more carefully weigh the costs and benefits of restricting the licensing requirements on older drivers, and give greater consideration to car safety technology and to reducing the risky behavior of particularly young drivers.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- Special equipment and helpful advice available for senior drivers
- Danger signs that an aging driver is no longer safe to drive
- AARP offers classes for drivers over 50
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