This study reveals that you should not assume that anyone over 70 is more dangerous behind the wheel than a younger driver.
Columbia, SC (PRWEB) April 04, 2014
Auto accident fatalities involving drivers over 70 years old have declined dramatically in recent years across the country, according to USA Today. The study should serve as a lesson for drivers of all ages to focus more on safe driving habits, said South Carolina personal injury lawyer Ben Matthews of Matthews & Megna, LLC.
Matthews expressed his comments in response to an article published by USA Today (2/22/14) about the falling fatality rate for car accidents involving older drivers.
“This study reveals that you should not assume that anyone over 70 is more dangerous behind the wheel than a younger driver,” Matthews said. “As personal injury attorneys, we have handled many serious accident cases, and many of them involved younger drivers who were distracted or somehow impaired. The findings are generally in line with what we see in South Carolina. We know driving experience counts when it comes to safety, and many older drivers have decades of experience.”
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analyzed fatal car accidents by age group that occurred between 1997 and 2012, according to USA Today. In particular, the Insurance Institute noticed a sharp contrast between drivers over 70 years old and drivers 35 to 54 years old. During that time period, the number of fatal car accidents fell 30 percent among drivers 35 to 54 years old, according to USA Today. In contrast, the number of fatal car accidents dropped by 42 percent for drivers over 70 years old during the same time period, USA Today reported.
Such statistics are welcome news since America’s population will continue to grow older on the coming decades. In 2012, residents over 70 years old accounted for 9 percent of the country’s population. By 2050, the number of people over 70 years old in the United States will climb to 16 percent of the total population, according to USA Today.
Drivers young and old should always maintain safe habits behind the wheel, according to attorney Matthews.
“Educators and law enforcement officials need to continue to promote safe driving habits and vigorously enforce South Carolina’s traffic laws,” Matthews said. “We can’t become complacent and stop taking an active role in reducing the number of fatal car accidents in South Carolina. We can always do more and the goal should always be zero fatal auto accidents.”
Matthews said anyone injured or who loses a loved one in an accident should seek the advice of legal counsel. An attorney can help pursue compensation and hold the negligent individual accountable, he said.
For more information about auto accidents and the legal options available to injury victims and their families in South Carolina, call (877) 253-7705 or complete the online contact form.
The USA Today article cited is “Study: Car crash deaths fall among elderly drivers.”
About Matthews & Megna
Serving the Columbia, Florence, Darlington and all of South Carolina since 1985, attorneys Ben Matthews and Tony R. Megna have handled thousands of cases and won major settlements for clients, whether settling out of court or going to trial. Matthews & Megna’s areas of practice include bankruptcy law, auto accidents and workers’ compensation cases. They also handle truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, golf cart accidents and moped accidents. The law firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. As a result, clients only pay for legal services if they win.
Along with an office in Darlington, the law firm’s main office is located at 3406 West Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203. To schedule a free case evaluation or for more information, call (877) 253-7705 or visit the law firm’s website at http://www.matthewsandmegna.com.