Georgia Injury Law Blog
An increasing population of senior motorists on Georgia roads translates into a large number of drivers with possibly impaired driving abilities, and an increased risk of auto accidents.
It is important to note that not every person above the age of 65 is a dangerous driver. In fact, a fit and healthy senior can expect to be driving for many more years, provided he or she is in excellent physical health. However, in some cases, a senior motorist may exhibit signs of impairment that can impact his ability to drive safely. Because a senior’s impaired driving abilities can significantly affect not just his or her own safety, but also the safety of other motorists on the road, it is up to the family to look out for warning signs of declining driving abilities and heightened car accident risks in the senior.
Here are some warning signs that should alert you to the possibility that your loved one is incapable of driving safely.
A common warning sign is an inability to stay in one’s lane. If, while driving with your loved one, you find that he veers away from his lane or straddles lanes far too often, take it as a warning sign that his alertness levels are dropping.
Safe driving also means identifying and following all traffic safety signals. If the person is unable to identify and stop at the stop sign or ignores other types of traffic safety signs, it increases his or her risk of being involved in a car accident. It may be time to take discuss with the senior the need to stop driving and to arrange alternative transportation.
Using turn signals and other safety signals are an important part of safe behavior. If the person fails to use turn signals while making a turn or fails to make signals accurately, he may be in danger of causing an accident that injures himself and others.
Sudden braking or accelerating without warning is also an important sign that family members should look out for. These actions may place the senior in danger of a fender bender or more serious car accident.
Another way to gauge if the senior in your life is in danger of causing an auto accident is to monitor the traffic citations that they have received. If the number is two or more over a period of 2 years, it may be time to evaluate the person’s driving skills.
Failure to brake in time, or failure to signal properly could result in minor scratches and dents in the person’s car or could result in the wrongful death of an innocent person. Look out for visible signs of collisions with other cars and objects.
Inability to turn around to look behind the car or to observe any motorist movement around the car is also a warning sign that the person’s motoring abilities are on the decline and he or she is in danger of causing a car accident. The ability to monitor areas around your car is a critical part of driving safety and any impairment in these abilities should not be ignored.
The Atlanta car crash attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons injured in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and determine if you have legal options to a claim for damages. You may be eligible for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other types of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case.