Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Since everyone ages differently, should senior citizens be permitted to make their own personal decision of when it is time to give up their car keys and sell the Oldsmobile or Caddy? personal injury attorneys in Chicago and elsewhere in the country understand that this is a dilemma that many senior citizens and family members are faced with these days.

A recent article in Ithaca Journal reports that, though most states require a shorter license renewal period for senior citizens, there is no age cut-off of when seniors are no longer permitted to drive. This inevitably leaves the decision up to the senior citizen who drives to church, the grocery store, bingo and social events -- often despite their health conditions or abilities to be safe drivers. Studies are showing that from ages 75 to 84, the fatality rate per 100 million miles driven is equivalent to that of the teenagers, who are typically considered the most dangerous drivers on the road. Elderly drivers ages 85 and older have a much higher fatality rate than teens, almost four times higher.

Do motorists have reason to fear elderly drivers causing Illinois car accidents? We posted previously on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog that 11.4% of the 1,434 fatal Chicago crashes in 2008 were from drivers age 65 and older.

There were 157 fatalities in 2008 in crashes involving a driver 65 and over in the state.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers several resources to help elderly drivers and families. If states fail to establish an age cut-off for driving privileges, knowing the signs of when your driving skills are diminishing can help protect you and your loved ones from the anguish that so often accompanies a serious or fatal accident.

Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully is one resource to consider when determining if your driving skills are diminishing. The program offers the following tips:

-Vision should be tested annually. If you have trouble seeing lane lines, pavement markings, street signs, pedestrians, or other vehicles, especially at night, have your vision tested immediately.

-Sit on a cushion if you have trouble seeing over the dashboard and at least 10 feet in front of the car. Adjust your mirrors before you put the car in drive to avoid headlight glare.

-Difficulty looking over your shoulder, moving your foot from gas to brake pedal, moving your head from left to right, and raising your arms to the top of the steering wheel are all symptoms of declining physical fitness that can affect driving skills. Seek medical attention to help treat these physical deficiencies.

-An increase in stress or confusion, slowed reaction and lapses in attention span are all serious symptoms that must be identified in order to avoid traffic accidents.

Senior citizens with clean driving records should be given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being a safe driver. However, knowing your capabilities and evaluating them honestly is what will keep senior drivers and other motorists safe on Chicago roadways.