The number of fatalities in senior driver crashes nationwide reached its highest point since at least 2000, finds a new analysis of federal crash data from AAA Northeast.
“Older drivers aren’t necessarily worse drivers than their younger counterparts,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “In fact, AAA research shows that seniors are less likely to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel. But they are at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured if a crash occurs.”
Massachusetts saw 101 fatal crashes involving seniors
In 2021, the last year of available federal data, there were 8,209 fatalities nationally, involving drivers age 65+, including:
- 4,691 senior drivers
- 933 passengers of senior drivers
- 1,763 occupants of other vehicles
- 820 people outside vehicles
A similar trend has occurred in Massachusetts, where there were 101 fatal crashes involving drivers ages 65+ in 2022, the most since at least 2002.
With more senior drivers on the road, this trend is not surprising. Across the country, there were more than 49 million licensed drivers at least 65 years of age in 2021, an increase of 20 million since 2000.
AAA offers the following tips for senior drivers and their families:
- Review new technologies: today’s new vehicles are often equipped with a variety of safety features, from lane keeping assistance to adaptive cruise control. Review your car’s manual or watch video tutorials to ensure you’re comfortable with how these systems work.
- Monitor your health: various medical conditions, eyesight problems, or memory issues can make driving more challenging, and some medications can impair driving ability. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist about your safety on the road given your unique medical history.
- Adjust your driving habits when necessary: some seniors may only drive in the day, avoid highways, or make three right turns instead of an unprotected left turn. Families should discuss the best strategies to keep an older driver safe behind the wheel.
- Wear your seatbelt: wearing a seatbelt is the best protection you can give yourself in the event of a crash.
Source: AAA Northeast
