TAMPA - Yesterday several people injured in a tour bus crash in Highlands County Florida were taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss said. The crash occurred at 2:15 p.m. at U.S, Highway 27 and Lake Francis Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 81-year-old Betty J. Adams, of Lake Placid, failed to yield to the bus's right-of-way, and the car struck the bus's left side. The bus then veered off the road and flipped over, ejecting several of the 32 passengers, troopers said. Two died at the scene. Troopers said charges are pending.
Statistics show that the elderly are more likely than other drivers to receive traffic citations for failing to yield, turning improperly, and running red lights and stop signs. These are all indications of decreased driving ability. Older drivers are more likely to get into multiple-vehicle accidents than younger people do, and the accidents are more dangerous for them than for younger drivers. Truth is, fatal crash rates rise sharply after a driver has reached the age of 70.
Driver safety is often a sensitive issue for seniors. The changes of normal aging can sometimes interfere with the ability to drive. Everyone ages differently, so some people can continue to drive into their seventies, eighties, and even beyond while others cannot or should not.
Besides taking care of their health, seniors can take an active role in helping themselves or another senior to drive more safely. They include:
- Find the right car and any aids you need for driving.
- Take it slow and give yourself plenty of room.
- Avoid distractions.
- Avoid uncomfortable driving situations.
For more information regarding seniors and driving look at HelpGuide.org
16 is the minimum age to drive in most states. Should there be a maximum age as well? Should there be driving tests as well as vision tests after a certain age? Join the conversation and comment below.
Comments
Hello,
Ideally, everyone should be tested (for vision, cognition, medication, medical conditions, ...) on a yearly basis; this would be the safe approach. Needless to say, it is not feasible, both for practical and economic reasons.
The next best option is to find the best compromise between testing every driver and those who demonstrate increased risks, such as senior drivers. Indeed, since advanced age correlates with increasing medical conditions and/or medication that could compromise those drivers, the risk level is higher. Most seniors won't even accept the idea of age-based screening for driving safety, but it just is the most sensible option in this respect.
What's really interesting, is that the very same reasoning is applied to a whole array of medical conditions (mammograms, prostate cancer,...), where it only makes sense to do systematic detection from a certain age... In this case it's fine and well accepted!
With that being said, where's the difference with dri
Take the key away from grannie.
Actually, three died in that crash. One at the hospital. A few others injured were in pretty critical condition. This was an awful tragedy. I do not like the idea of losing my freedom and privileges when I get older, but understand that safety is more important than pride. Sure, an accident can happen at any age, but since the likelihood increases so much after 70 they should test the elderly and family should watch out for older relatives, give them a ride, suggest public transportation. Anything to avoid what I saw at the hospital after this accident.
Thank you for your comment Tara. I totally agree with you. Three are NO easy answers for sure either.
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