It is certainly true that there are issues that can arise as someone gets older that may make them a more dangerous driver. For example, somebody suffering from a cognitive disorder may have trouble remembering where they’re going or may simply make logical mistakes while driving. Someone who is suffering from declining eyesight may overlook traffic signals or make more mistakes when driving in low-light conditions.
On the other side of the coin, younger drivers are often seen as the most dangerous demographic. They cause a high amount of accidents in their teens and early 20s, but the fatal accident rates do decline as they get older.
Does this suggest that elderly drivers are similar to young drivers as their own accident odds begin to increase again? Are middle-aged drivers the only safe age group?
It can be an issue of experience vs. inexperience
Well, it may be true that older drivers face complications that may not apply to middle-aged drivers, but they are still not as dangerous as teenagers. The reason for this is that older drivers still have a background of experience behind the wheel. They’ve been practicing and honing their skills for decades. Teen drivers often cause accidents directly because of their lack of experience. That’s why their accident odds drop as they enter their 20s and 30s. Elderly drivers do not have to contend with this issue.
Anyone can be involved in an accident
That being said, it’s important to remember that 40,000 people pass away in accidents every year. Hundreds of thousands more suffer injuries. Everyone faces a certain level of risk, regardless of their age group. If you’ve been injured by mistakes another driver made, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.