Posted in Car Accident on May 25, 2013
As the baby boomer population enters its 70s, there have been concerns that over the next few years, there will be an explosion of senior motorists on our streets. Many traffic safety experts are very concerned about the increased accident risks involving seniors. However, a new analysis of senior car accident claims conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Highway Loss Data Institute indicates that this may not really be the case. In other words, concerns about senior drivers may be at least a little exaggerated.
There is no doubt that the number of accident claims involving drivers in their 70s and 80s is higher than claims involving other groups. The number of such claims is expected to increase in the next few years, as the population of drivers in this age group increases.
However, that may not necessarily translate into a much higher car accident claim rate overall, because the number of such drivers is so low. Drivers in their 70s and 80s are not expected to account for a major chunk of the driving population, and their numbers will be far too low to result in any major consequences for highway safety.
That is definitely good news for anybody who’s concerned about geriatric health. In fact, the Highway Loss Data Institute analysis found that there may be almost no difference in the overall accident claim frequency with the next 20 years. Even if there is any kind of increase in car accident claims over the next few years, it will more likely be to due to an increase in the number of motorists, and not specifically an increase in the number of senior motorists.
Transportation safety agencies should continue to focus harder on preventing accidents among young and teenage drivers, who seem to have much higher car accident claim rates compared to senior drivers. Learn more at: www.zanerhardenlaw.com.
