Older Generations are Driving More, Crashing Less

As New Jersey drivers age, their confidence in their driving skills may weaken, causing them to avoid driving as much as they once did. The might avoid going out at night, during bad weather or even during rush hour. Although this may be the case for some older drivers, a recent study shows that it definitely is not always the case.

It appears that older drivers are staying pretty confident when it comes to driving, leading them to even drive longer distances than they used to. Not only that, drivers that are 70 and over are actually involved in fewer accidents than previous generations. On top of that, if they do crash, they are less likely to be seriously injured or die.

Researchers believe this is happening because cars have become safer and our older generations are getting healthier.

If we look at the statistics from 1997 to 2012, there was a 42 percent drop in “fatal crash rates per licensed driver” when it came to older drivers. That drop was even more significant for drivers aged 80 and older.

Although our older drivers are less likely to be involved in a crash, it doesn’t mean they won’t be at some point. Even the most minor car accident can result in devastating consequences for an elderly driver, leading to prolonged hospital stays and mounting medical bills. It’s important to understand that when a crash occurs due to the negligence of the other driver, New Jersey residents have the right to seek compensation.

Source: Insurance Journal, “Grandpa and Grandma Much Safer Behind the Wheel Than Predicted,” Joan Lowy, Feb. 25, 2014