Everyone deserves to be safe when they’re driving down California roads. Unfortunately, some people are more at risk to be involved in car accidents than others. Senior citizens fall into this category. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we want everyone to be safer on the road. Thankfully, some steps have been taken to keep our senior drivers safer. Read on to learn more about them and then reach out to us at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation if you’ve been involved in a car accident.
There are several reasons that senior drivers may have more trouble
There are a number of challenges that senior drivers can face. First, they often have physical challenges such as arthritis. They often also have mental challenges that are simply a part of getting older, such as having a harder time processing issues. Finally, senior citizens are more likely to have poor vision than the average driver. This can be an especially big issue when it’s dark out.
What’s more, not only do senior drivers have the potential to get into more accidents than the average driver, they can also suffer more significant injuries. For example, a broken bone for a senior citizen can be more than an inconvenience – it can be life-threatening.
New technology can make it safer for everyone on the roads
Automobile manufacturers are looking at new technology for vehicles that could make it safer for everyone who’s driving – which is good time for the baby boomers who are getting into their 70s. There’s plenty in the news about ways to make cars safer, including the idea of self-driving cars. Though just how common they will become is unsure, the truth is that Google and Tesla are just two of the companies working hard to make self-driving cars safer and a standard option in the future.
Optional features are now becoming standard
In addition to newer safety features coming out, some safety features that used to be optional are now becoming standard on many vehicles. In some cases, these changes are mandatory and set by safety groups. In other cases, the car manufacturers are choosing to add them.
For example, by May of this year, rearview cameras with screens on the dashboard are required in every new car. On the other hand, automated brakes aren’t going to be mandatory any time soon, but auto manufacturers have said they expect them to be standard by 2022.
There’s one big issue standing between this technology and the safety of seniors
While studies have shown that many of the newest technologies could make a big difference in ensuring seniors stay safe, there’s one big issue: Seniors aren’t always comfortable with technology. That leaves it up to car manufacturers to make these devices easy to use, and for the family and friends of seniors to make sure they know how to use them.
