My Grandma is 85. She drives every day, but I worry that she will be injured or killed in a Palm Beach car accident. When should Grandma stop driving?

 

A: According to Palm Beach car accident attorney David Glatthorn, you are right to worry. While many elderly drivers are still good drivers, a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the car accident fatality rate for drivers 85 and older is nearly four times higher than that for teens.

How do you know if it is time for Grandma to give up the keys? Palm Beach car accident lawyer David Glatthorn suggests that you look for the following signs:

1. Changes in vision or hearing. If your elderly relative is having difficulty seeing or hearing, she may have difficulty noticing pedestrians, signs, warnings, and other drivers. Suggest that she see her doctor.
2. Physical difficulty turning her head, or moving her neck or shoulders.
3. Slowed reaction times.
4. Your loved one has received a number of tickets and warnings for traffic violations.
5. Your loved one asks passengers for help when driving.
6. Parking lot accidents.
7. Your loved one often becomes tense, angry or frustrated while driving.

If you feel that your grandmother should give up driving, talk to her, but realize that she may see giving up driving as giving up her freedom. Look into transportation alternatives such as public busses, senior shuttles and discounted taxi rides.

If your grandmother is injured in a West Palm Beach auto accident, make sure that her rights are protected. Request a free copy of David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim, and contact Palm Beach car accident attorney David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.