South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
Talking with your elderly parent or spouse about your concern for their diminishing motor skills is no easy task. But taking the first step to help a loved one who no is longer able to safely navigate our roadways can help to reduce their risks of a car accident in Davie and elsewhere.
According to Florida’s traffic data, the number of drivers who had their licenses taken away because they were deemed as unable to safely drive has doubled over the last 10 years. Most of these licenses were revoked because of physical or mental health challenges related to age, including strokes, dementia and seizures, according to News 4 Jax.
Our Davie car accident attorneys understand that drivers’ risks for an accident drastically increase once they reach the age of 60. To help prevent these types of accidents, Florida lawmakers have decided to promote a longstanding, but little-known Florida law that allows residents to contact the state regarding motorists who may be suffering from mental of physical conditions that could affect road safety. We’re not asking you to go report you elderly family members to the state. We would just like to raise awareness about the dangers they face behind the wheel and head off that problem before it gets here.
Family members are urged to speak with their elderly loved ones face to face, but if nothing seems to work then you can report the driver to the state. Reports are confidential.
“There’s a lot wrapped up in having a driver’s license, in terms of identity and dignity,” said
Linda Levins, of ElderSource.
Florida drivers are required to get their eyes checked every six years once they’ve reached the age of 80. Since 2004, about 7,000 drivers’ licenses have been taken based on these vision tests alone.
“We know that Florida’s older adult population has positively impacted our state, both socially and economically,” said Terry White, secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and council member. “We are committed to addressing the safety and self-sufficiency of Florida’s elder drivers.”
Signs from AARP that a driver should start limiting his or her time behind the wheel:
-Having near-misses, close calls or almost accidents on our roadways.
-Discovering dents and scrapes on your car or on the property around your driveway.
-Getting lost on routes that should be familiar.
-Have a tough time seeing road signs, road markings and traffic lights.
-A slow response time to road hazards.
-Underestimating gaps in traffic.
-Receiving many honks from other drivers.
-Easily becoming distracted.
-Having a hard time turning to look at your vehicle’s surroundings.
-Receiving numerous written and verbal warnings from officers.
Take the time to examine your elderly loved one’s driving abilities. Make sure they’re not endangering themselves or anyone else on our roadways. If not, consider sitting them down and talking to them about their safety behind the wheel. Your concern could help to save their life.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in Davie, Royal Palm Beach, Pompano Beach or in any of the surrounding areas, contact our personal injury lawyers of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-529-2368.
More Blog Entries:
New Campaign Video Depicting Severity of Pedestrian Accidents in Wellington Offends State Lawmakers, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, November 23, 2011
Daylight Saving Time Brings Increased Risks of Car Accidents in Royal Palm Beach, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog November 21, 2011