Elderly Drivers and Road Safety
December 2025
Safety concerns for elderly drivers are real and multifaceted. These concerns stem from the natural changes that come with age. When a person ages, they may begin to have trouble checking blind spots, turning the steering wheel and hard braking when necessary. In addition, they may have difficulty entering and exiting the vehicle. As age advances reaction time slows. Reaction time is critical for events that require quick action like a car breaking in front, changing traffic signals or an animal entering the road. Fatigue is another factor that impacts the older driver. With fatigue or general frailty, longer drives become more difficult and increase the risk of a crash.
As one ages, their visual acuity may cause them to have trouble seeing road signs, lane markings or pedestrians. Night vision may also deteriorate. With worsening night vision an elderly driver may have more difficulty with headlights from oncoming traffic and reduced clarity from low-light conditions.
One should keep in mind that the same rules of the road apply to elderly drivers as to everyone else on the road. The elderly drivers does not get a pass due to their age and their experience.
At Herrick & Hart, we have been on the side of the injured since 1951. We offer a free consultation on personal injury cases. We will often travel to visit you after an injury if you are unable to visit us.