If you are an older adult and you worry about your safety on the road or you have concerns about a loved one, it is very important to review statistics on older adults and the consequences of motor vehicle accidents. Even if you do not drive, riding in a vehicle, walking or riding a bicycle places you in an especially vulnerable position if a traffic accident occurs.
Sadly, many older adults lose their lives or suffer major injuries when these crashes occur.
How many older adults sustain injuries and die in crashes?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 250,000 older adults (those 65 and over) sought emergency treatment as a result of motor vehicle accident injuries over the course of 2018. Moreover, nearly 7,700 people in this age group lost their lives due to motor vehicle collisions. Based on these statistics, nearly 700 older adults suffer injuries and over 20 lose their lives every single day.
How can older adults protect themselves on the road?
The CDC reports that older adults are particularly vulnerable when motor vehicle accidents take place. Therefore, those over the age of 65 are especially likely to die or sustain a debilitating injury when a collision occurs. Older adults can decrease the likelihood of a crash by staying off the road at night or when weather conditions are poor, wearing a seat belt and avoiding driving after consuming alcohol. However, there are many negligent drivers on the road and older adults, as well as road users of any age, sometimes find themselves involved in a devastating accident.
