Over the last three years, there have been nearly 550 people killed and more than 3,000 seriously injured in car accidents in Dexter, Perryville and elsewhere in Missouri that involved an older driver. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), drivers over the age of 64 accounted for about 15 percent of the total driving population. These elderly drivers were involved in nearly 20 percent of all fatal traffic accidents and about 12 percent of all accidents resulting in serious injury,
As our baby boomers age and increase the life expectancy average, the proportion of senior residents in the state is expected to rise from the current 10 percent to nearly 20 percent by 2020.
Our Dexter car accident attorneys understand that MoDOT has a few tricks up its sleeve to help address older driver safety through its older driver intervention program. This program will be promoted throughout Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City. This program includes the following core programs; DriveWell, CarFit, NHTSA Law Enforcement Module, Roadwise Review, and Assessing & Counseling the Older Driver.
DriveWell:
This program is a toolkit that provides comprehensive information to plan, promote and present public information events on the safety of elderly drivers. The kit includes a 20-minute video and a guide to help family members to start the conversation about the safety of the elderly drivers in their lives. DriveWell trainings will be conducted throughout the state. The training is about five hours and each participant will receive a copy of the toolkit.
CarFit:
This is a program that is used to help make sure that elderly drivers fit in their vehicle properly. CarFit comes with a 12-point checklist that a trained professional can review with elderly drivers.
NHTSA Law Enforcement Module
The NHTSA Law Enforcement Module is a course that will be taught by enforcement officers. Videos, handouts, group exercises and simulated traffic stops educate elderly drivers about the importance of safe driving habits. This is a 3.5-hour course.
Roadwise Review
Roadwise Review is a CD program that elderly drivers can use to tune up their driving abilities in the comfort of home. The program will help to identify fitness and health issues that can potentially affect safety on our roadways. The program also points out steps to improve general health for better driving skills, and gives advice about how to discuss driving fitness with a doctor. This is a 45-minute program.
Assessing and Counseling the Older Driver
The Assessing and Counseling the Older Driver is a three-hour program conducted by David Carr, M.D., of Washington University School of Medicine, and Thomas Meuser, PhD. The program is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Older Driver project. Those who attend this program will receive continuing medical education credits.
As the holiday traffic increases, family members are urged to talk about roadway safety with the elderly drivers in their lives. Older drivers may not see a problem in their driving abilities, but with age comes deteriorating senses. Urge them to participate in the programs listed above so that they can get a better grasp on their abilities behind the wheel.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in Kennett, New Madrid, Perryville or elsewhere in Southeast Missouri, contact the New Madrid Personal Injury Lawyers at Aaron Sachs & Associates PC, for a free initial consultation. Call (573) 334-7959.
More Blog Entries:
Holiday Season Contributes to Record Numbers of Car Accidents in Kennett and Elsewhere, Southeast Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 5, 2011
'Healthy Vision' with Dr. Val Jones Discusses Risks of Nighttime Car Accidents in Kennett and Elsewhere, Southeast Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Blog, November 28, 2011
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