When it comes to keeping elderly drivers safe – and letting them know when it’s time to hang up the car keys – families play a key role, according to an extensive Canadian study of elderly driver accidents.
The study followed over 100,000 elderly Canadian drivers diagnosed with a wide range of conditions, including the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In Canada, doctors are required to report to driver licensing authorities in many instances when a medical condition may impair a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
The study found that, while the reports reduced accidents in many cases, accident rates dropped by 45 percent when doctors informed patients and their families about driving risks as well.
Doctors can advise drivers and family members about driving risks, but once elderly drivers leave the doctor’s office, family members play a key role in watching their loved ones for signs of driving problems or distress. The authors of the study in Canada advised families of older drivers that early intervention is important and it’s better to help an older driver learn to live independently without driving before an accident occurs than afterwards. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause an older driver serious injuries, in addition to endangering other motorists and pedestrians on the road.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, hardworking Kentucky car accident attorney Tad Thomas can help you with every step of the process, from filing an insurance claim to building a strong case in court.
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