Senior citizens are becoming more determined than ever to keep up with evolving technology in cars, in order to keep driving in their later years. According to a survey done by The Hartford, 76% of drivers 50 years old and up, would look for a car with the latest safety features.
“Our findings indicate that some drivers, age 50+, would be more willing to drive in certain situations if they had particular technologies,” Jodi Olshevski, Executive Director of The Hartford Center, explained. The results show that seniors “associate advanced technologies with enhanced safety.” USA Today reports that some of these desired safety features include blind-spot warning, crash mitigation, lane-departure warnings, and advanced headlights.
Perhaps even more surprising than the initial statistic is that only one in four older drivers is opposed to owning an autonomous vehicle, according to the study. 35% of respondents said they would be willing to give it a try, and 42% are informed enough about driverless cars to have an opinion.
While a large majority of senior citizens are open to the idea of driving an autonomous vehicle, there are still some obstacles they would have to get through. The study found that 56% said they need to know that they would be as safe riding in a driverless car as they would be if they were driving themselves. Additionally, 48% would use a self-driving vehicle if their health prevented them from driving, 27% would use one if they helped them stay connected to friends, 27% if they were cheaper than a regular car, and 17% if somebody they trusted recommended a driverless car.
In 2012, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated that there were almost 36 million licensed drivers age 65 and older in the United States. While driving can be beneficial to keeping senior citizens active and independent, it can also put seniors at higher risk for injuries and deaths in car accidents. An average of 586 elderly drivers are injured every day in crashes.
How to Prevent Elderly Driver Injuries and Deaths (CDC)
- Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Wear glasses and corrective lenses as required.
- Drive during daylight and in good weather conditions only.
- Find the safest route with well-lit streets, intersections with left turn arrows, and easy parking.
- Make sure to leave a large following distance behind the car in front of you.
- Exercise regularly to help increase strength and flexibility.
- Consider potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend or using public transit, that you can use to get around.
As stated above, injuries sustained by senior drivers can be serious even in the most minor of car collisions. It is extremely important that elderly victims of a car crash receive immediate medical attention. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an auto accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving elderly drivers. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.