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Are Older Adults Practicing Unsafe Driving Behaviors?
A driving safety study related to older adults conducted by The American Automobile Association (AAA) has shed some light on some unknown distracted driving behaviors of older adults. While younger drivers (ages 15 to 24) still remain the highest at-risk group for distracted driving accidents, older adults are admitting to risky and distracting behaviors when behind the wheel. Here’s what you need to know.
How Often Are Older Adults Engaging in Distracted Driving Behaviors?
The AAA study (2017) researched and analyzed answers to a 64-question survey given to older adults aged 65 and older. Here's what the respondents had to say about their cell phone use while driving:
- 60% of respondents admitted to using cell phones while driving
- 42% of respondents use their phone to talk while driving
- 9% of respondents use their phone to text while driving
When asked specific questions about answering incoming calls, the rates of cell phone use was significantly higher:
- 57% of respondents said that they answer incoming calls while driving and of these respondents:
- 40.4% said they take the call and converse while driving
- 21% said they pull over to take calls
- 17.5% said they tell the caller that they will call them back
- 21% said they will only answer a call from a recognized number
- 30% of employed respondents said they felt obligated to take work-related calls while driving.
- Almost 40% of respondents said that they place outbound calls while driving and of these respondents:
- 45% used voice dialing
- 25.75 % used speed dialing
- 19% scrolled through saved phone numbers
- 10% manually entered phone numbers
Most of the respondents (80%) rated themselves as safer drivers compared to their peers and 38% said they had fair to excellent driving ability to be able to perform other tasks while driving.
You can read the full AAA report here.
Injured By a Distracted Driver? Contact Meyerkord & Kurth
Distracted driving accidents can be one of the most devastating and can result in severe, life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one were harmed by a negligent, distracted driver, you have the right to hold them accountable for their actions and pursue compensation for the medical costs related to your injury as well pain and suffering for the mental anguish you’ve endured. When you need support and guidance throughout the process, you can count on your caring team of lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth.
Contact us today at (800) 391-4318 to learn your rights.