Attorney
In 2000, Maryland had almost 600,000 residents over age 65, according to a report in hometownannapolis.com. By 2030, the number of residents over 65 in Maryland may be over 1.2 million. While public transportation remains an option for senior citizens, many still insist on driving in old age.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says that by 2025, one in five drivers will be older than 65—an alarming statistic considering that numerous studies indicate that older drivers are more likely to cause auto crashes than younger drivers are. One study found that older drivers are 16 percent more likely to cause a car accident than a driver aged 25 to 64. Furthermore, due to their age older drivers are more susceptible to serious injuries.
Safety experts say one of the main issues with older drivers is that dimly lit roads and highways are not safe for older eyes.
Maryland does not have specific requirements for senior citizen drivers. AARP says when an older driver begins to hit curbs, gets easily distracted behind the wheel, and experiences difficulty with turns and merging, it may be time to stop driving.
Drivers at any age should know what to do after a car accident to preserve their rights as a victim. Contact our office today for more information.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys