Health and Public Policy: Older Auto Drivers Safer Than You Think

Peace and Freedom - Policy and World Ideas ^ | July 20, 2007 | John E. Carey

[Logophile]

I tremble when I see Geezers in Hondas on iPhones!!!!

When I am on my bicycle, the scariest sight is a teenage girl driving a big four-wheel-drive pickup truck while talking on a cell phone and applying makeup. She would roll over me and not even notice the bumps.

The next scariest sight is anyone of any age in any kind of vehicle who talks on a cell phone while driving. They seem to be oblivious of what is going on around them.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

Tell my insurance company this. Through whatever calculus they use to determine rates, as I have progressed beyond age 65, they have steadily increased my premiums, even with an extended period of no claims and no violations for some several years now.

You should try Auto Owners. They love older drivers with clean records, as opposed to the "big three" (State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate). Instead of surcharges, they give DISCOUNTS. If they write in your state, you can find them with an independent broker. Check with your insurance commissioners office or check out their web page.

[weegee]

–People over the age of 65 make up 15 percent of drivers but were responsible for only 7 percent of the 330,000 fatal two-car crashes in the past 25 years.

Fatal 2 car crashes. How many pedestrians do they clip?

How many non-lethal car crashes are they responsible for?

[fortunecookie]

Expect more articles like this over next few years, as the baby boomers enter that golden age, and their political weight increases thru AARP, and they want to go places.

And I think to some extent the flip side applies, too. Older baby boomers as a group rebelled against parents and the norm in a big way, whether because of their sheer numbers or what, but they were the group in charge 10, 20 years ago when bigger restrictions were urged and placed on this driving age group 'for their own good'. And if you've ever had the (dis)pleasure of being around a boomer who treats their elderly parents like a toy or a pet, you know more precisely what I mean.

[weegee]

There is a world of growth in the driving experience of those between 15 and 24 years old but they were lumped together too.

[Xenalyte]

Not just a clip . . . sometimes the geezers drive right the heck OVER the pedestrians.

[sodpoodle]

“””The next scariest sight is anyone of any age in any kind of vehicle who talks on a cell phone while driving.”””

Agree!

Speed and cell phones - deadly combination.

‘hand’s free’ is not a remedy. If a driver & passenger are having a conversation - they are watching the same traffic events. A remote cell phone conversation causes the driver to visualize something else entirely. As a passenger I go ballistic if the driver makes or accepts a cell phone call. My cell phone message states “If I am driving, I will not respond - please leave a message”

[doodad]

8^O

[sodpoodle]

“”””After following someone like this for several miles, and just getting madder and madder and madder,”””

Take the next turn-off and pray for ‘serenity now’, ‘serenity now’.

Road Rage is more dangerous than cell phones!

[thulldud]

Not just a clip . . . sometimes the geezers drive right the heck OVER the pedestrians.

The question is, if the pedestrian is talking on a cell phone at the time, does he even notice?

(Possibly he does if he is talking to the driver: "Hey, idiot!! You got a red li...<Call was lost>")

[Xenalyte]

I don’t care who y’are . . . that’s funny right there!

[Gay State Conservative]

At least partially because of an experience I had with my own Dad (80 years old....dangerous driver...huge battle to take his license away) I’d bet everything I have that on a “per mile driven” or a “per trip taken” basis,elderly drivers (say,those over 75 or 80) cause more trouble on the roads than does just about any other group.

[FreedomPoster]

While the statistics are true, that doesn't change the fact that we need a system that checks basic abilities every couple/few years, beyond a certain age.

Here's an example of the reason why:

Vehicle rams Wilmette sandwich shop [8 injured]

I didn't post the pic with blood on the floor.

[Clemenza]

NOT in my family. And my baby boomer father was ALWAYS a dangerous driver, even before his two strokes.

[atlaw]

Absolutely hilarious post. Unintentionally, I suspect.

[doodad]

Yes isn’t it funny that is always the elderly that seem to have the “sticky throttle” issues?

We bought an Audi 5000GT cheap one year due to that whole rumor mongering.

[doodad]

I have to agree. Despite what stats may or may not say, those of us in the real world know the story. The worst drivers are the blue hairs and the illegals.

[WinMod70]

I’m thinking some stats involving the term “per miles driven” or “hours behind the wheel” would paint a more informative picture.

I’m sure the insurance industry has the most accurate information.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Fatality RATES are the only useful measure.

Old people are feeble and die easier. There goes that thesis.

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No, the thesis remains. But you are right. the responsible statisticians consider what is called “fragility” of older drivers. They have 4x the accident rate, but 8x the fatality rate, because they do not survive marginal collisions at the rate of healthier people.

Yet given the limitation of elderly (80+) drivers to avoid night time, distant, unfamiliar, etc. driving, the danger to others is greater than the fatality rate would indicate.

[Atlas Sneezed]

f the wording were changed from “were responsible for” to “involved in” , it would be correct. But we have no idea how many accidents they are responsible for by driving 45 in a 70 mph zone. These so-called “safe” drivers are responsible for a lot more accidents than these statistics show.

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I think you are wrong here. Responsibility is assigned, and paid close attention to by insurance companies. We are not blind to that factor.

But fatality rates are also very accurately kept statistics that correlate well with responsibility, though to not assign it.