Many of the world’s wealthiest countries are facing the unique challenge of adapting to a rapidly aging population. Canada is already grappling with the effects of this demographic shift, particularly in the healthcare sector, where overcrowding is causing concern to medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers.
An older population may also impact road safety in our country. State Farm Canada recently surveyed 3,581 respondents to determine attitudes and concerns about senior citizens behind the wheel. The study revealed an interesting contrast between Canadians’ belief that seniors have a right to drive and worries about the safety implications of an aging population of drivers.
In 2011, Transport Canada reported that drivers aged 65 and older accounted for approximately 17 per cent of traffic fatalities, while only holding about 14 per cent of drivers’ licenses. It also found that at age 75, the rate of fatalities per distance travelled increased significantly. Additionally, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) noted that drivers over 80 were involved in a disproportionate number of crashes.
“When reviewing the evidence, it becomes clear that elderly drivers are overrepresented in fatal and severe crashes due to a variety of factors associated with advancing age,” said TIRF Chief Operating Officer Ward Vanlaar in a State Farm release.
These factors include diminished reaction times and mobility, potential visual impairment, dementia, and impairment related to medication. Personal injury lawyers’ first concern is for the safety of Canadian drivers, and by this standard, an older driving population is quite worrisome.
However, it doesn’t seem fair to impose “arbitrary upper age limits for driving,” as Wanda Morris, VP of Advocacy for CARP put it in a recent National Post column.
“Canadians are conflicted when it comes to the balance between road safety and the autonomy associated with driving,” said John Bordignon of State Farm Canada in the release. “These are extremely difficult discussions for families to have. When a person is deemed unfit to drive, it can feel like a sudden loss of independence.”
Personal injury lawyers, and Canadians in general, are left with a dilemma: how can we protect older citizens’ rights while maintaining safe roads? Morris makes several interesting suggestions, including mandatory road tests at certain ages; increased testing across the age spectrum; testing based on drivers’ history of tickets and accidents; and gradual restrictions based on age, such as not being permitted to drive at night, in bad weather, or on major highways.
If you or a member of your family a serious injury as a result of an automotive accident, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers to find out how our experienced and compassionate team can assist your recovery.
Photo credit: Mike Mozart/Flickr
Greg Neinstein
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