New Studies Raise Concerns About Driving Safety in Connecticut
/The number of fatalities in senior driver crashes nationwide reached its highest point since at least 2000, according to a new analysis of federal crash data from AAA Northeast.
In 2021, the last year of available federal data, there were 8,209 fatalities involving drivers age 65+, including: 4,691 senior drivers; 933 passengers of senior drivers; 1,763 occupants of other vehicles and 820 people outside vehicles.
A similar trend was evident in Connecticut, where 35 drivers ages 65+ were killed in 2022, tied with 2019 for the most since 2000, according to data from the UConn Crash Data Repository.
With more senior drivers on the road, AAA notes, this trend is not surprising. Across the country, there were more than 49 million licensed drivers at least 65 years of age in 2021, an increase of 20 million since 2000. But to mark Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which runs from December 4-8, 2023, AAA Northeast is encouraging seniors and their families to have discussions about how to ensure safe mobility for years to come.
“Older drivers aren’t necessarily worse drivers than their younger counterparts,” said Alec Slatky, Managing Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast. “In fact, AAA research shows that seniors are less likely to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel. But they are at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured if a crash occurs.”
AAA is urging senior drivers and their families to:
• Review new technologies: today’s new vehicles are often equipped with a variety of safety features, from lane keeping assistance to adaptive cruise control. Review your car’s manual or watch video tutorials to ensure you’re comfortable with how these systems work.
• Monitor your health: various medical conditions, eyesight problems, or memory issues can make driving more challenging, and some medications can impair driving ability. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist about your safety on the road given your unique medical history.
• Adjust your driving habits when necessary: some seniors may only drive in the day, avoid highways, or make three right turns instead of an unprotected left turn. Families should discuss the best strategies to keep an older driver safe behind the wheel.
• Wear your seatbelt: wearing a seatbelt is the best protection you can give yourself in the event of a crash.
Another new study has revealed that Wyoming and Connecticut have the highest percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in crashes in school zones in America.
The ranking, created by injury lawyers Bader Scott, analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data revealing the number of pedestrians and cyclists involved in motor vehicle crashes in school zones between 2014 and 2021. This study reveals the states with the highest and lowest percentages of pedestrians and cyclists involved in school zone crashes.
The study found that Wyoming has the highest percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in crashes in school zones. The total number of pedestrians and cyclists who were involved in fatal crashes in this state was 68, two of which were in a school zone. Therefore, the percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in school zone crashes is 2.94%.
Connecticut is the second most dangerous state for pedestrians and cyclists at risk of crashing in a school zone, with 2.38% of pedestrians and cyclists involved in a school zone crash. In total, during this timeframe, 11 pedestrians and one cyclist were involved in fatal crashes in school zones, making this state the second worst state in the US for school zone crashes.
The state with the third highest percentage of crashes involving both pedestrians and cyclists is Iowa, at 2.25%. Iowa has witnessed five pedestrians and one cyclist be fatally injured as a result of a collision in a school zone. Delaware ranks fourth; Pennsylvania and New York rank fifth and sixth place.
A spokesperson from Bader Scott commented on the findings, pointing out that "This study is a clear indication of the most dangerous states in the US for pedestrians and cyclists in school zones, and for many families, it might be shocking to see that whether you live in a highly populated state like New York or one of the least populated states like Wyoming, the number of people in the state is irrelevant when it comes to fatalities in school areas.
“The findings suggest that it is more dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists in any of the top ten states when travelling through a school zone, which is why they must take extra caution, especially if they have small children who might not be paying attention to the roads."
