Warning to the Elderly: Don’t Take Psychoactive Medications and Drive
There have been a lot of researches that show that older drivers have the second highest risk for motor vehicle collisions of any age group, after adolescents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, older adults are nine times more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents than drivers aged 25 to 69. In 2000, older adults made up 9% of the resident population, but accounted for 13% of all traffic fatalities and 17% of all pedestrian fatalities. Accidents involving older drivers can cause injury to both the older driver and other drivers and pedestrians.
Generally. most senior drivers are good, safe drivers. They know their limitations and do their best to follow the rules of the road. But even the best and the safest drivers can have accidents when there are factors that impair their judgment or senses. Impaired vision, poor hearing and flexibility, limited range of motion, reduced reaction time, and medications are some of the factors which can lead to fatal car accidents.
Many elderly drivers take several medications to treat certain medical conditions, including...