Study Finds Florida No. 1 in Fatal Car Accidents Involving Elders

????May 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Study Finds Florida No. 1 in Fatal Car Accidents Involving Elders

Florida attracts many retirees. And as baby boomers retire and live longer, healthier lives, it means more drivers 65 or older on Florida's roads. In fact, Florida state officials estimate that by 2030, one in four drivers will be 65 or older. Currently 20 percent of Florida drivers are 65 or older.

That has many traffic safety advocates worried, as a recent study by TRIP, a national transportation research group, found that Florida had the most traffic deaths involving the elderly in the nation. While that is due in part to Florida's significant elderly population, age does not appear to be the only factor; California actually has the most elder drivers in the nation, but fewer fatal car accidents involving elders than Florida. Texas has the highest per capita rate with 10.7 deaths per 100,000 licensed drivers older than 65, compared to 9.87 and 6.9 in Florida and California, respectively.

It isn't clear why Florida and Texas have significantly more traffic deaths for elders than California. Some analysts believe Florida needs alternatives to driving to keep elders mobile, as part of the reason might be that elderly Floridians drive more. In addition, better designed roadways and clear traffic signs might help elderly drivers navigate, as many retirees come from different states and are unfamiliar with Florida's roads.

Another suggestion includes stricter licensing requirements, as well as elder-driving classes.

Florida Department of Transportation's Safe Mobility for Life manager Gail Holley told the Sun Sentinel that she was glad of the variety of suggestions in the study, such as elderly-friendly vehicles. "Older driver safety is about improving quality of life, not just roadways and licensing," she told the Sun Sentinel.

Preventing car accidents involving elders could save younger lives as well. While 271 elderly drivers lost their lives in car accidents on Florida roads in 2011, 503 people of all ages were killed in an accident involving an elderly driver last year.

In an Accident?

If you have been involved in an accident with an elderly driver, or a loved one has been killed, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you explore your legal options for recovery.

Article provided by Nance, Cacciatore, Hamilton, Barger, Nance, Cacciatore
Visit us at http://www.nancelaw.com

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