Texas Accident & Injury News
Senior drivers are at more risk of injury while driving, walking, and cycling.
Older Driver Hits Utility Pole and Bakery in Single-Vehicle Accident
According to a KSAT News report, an older driver is dead following a single-vehicle accident on the inner West Side of San Antonio last night.
Police reported the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. at the intersection of Fredricksburg Road and North Zarzamora Street near I-10. The driver, a 61-year-old man, was driving northbound when he lost control of his vehicle for unknown reasons. He drove across the southbound lanes, hitting a utility pole before crashing into a nearby bakery. He was cut from the vehicle by the SAFD and transported to hospital, where he died of injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no one inside the bakery was hurt.
Did You Know?
Motor vehicle fatalities for those 65 and older increased 15% from 2020 to 2021.
Senior Drivers in San Antonio
As the population in the United States is aging, there are more and more senior drivers on the road. According to the FHA, there were 47,667,706 licensed drivers 65 and older in the U.S. in 2022.
Senior citizens face unique challenges when driving, walking, and cycling in Texas. They are more likely to be in an accident and more likely to be seriously or fatally injured than any other age group.
Let’s take a look at how you can stay safe as a senior driver during the busy holiday season in San Antonio.
Tips for Senior Drivers
As we age, our reaction time, situational awareness, and vision decline, making activities like driving more challenging. Technological advancements in vehicles have helped keep drivers safer for longer, but there are other actions you can personally take to protect yourself. Here are some tips on how you can make the driving experience safer as an older driver.
Plan Your Route
This is good practice for every driver but can be especially helpful as you age. Be familiar with the roads you intend to drive, and choose roads that are well-lit and have left turn signals when possible.
Check Your Medication
3 out of 4 adults take medications that impact driving and walking. Don’t stop taking medication without talking to your provider first, but have a conversation with them on potential changes so that you can drive more safely.
Get an Eye Exam Yearly
Sudden changes in your vision can impair your ability to see pedestrians and cyclists, especially at night. Get an eye exam every year, and always wear your corrective lenses if you need them.
Build Strength and Improve Mobility
Regular exercises that improve your strength and mobility can make you a better driver. It may improve your reflexes and combat the most common cause of accidents for senior drivers, which is frailty.
Injured as a Senior Driver?
While senior citizens get in more accidents than other age groups, they are also the most likely to practice safe driving behaviors. You’re not automatically at fault for an accident just because of your age. If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help.
Call Carabin Shaw Auto Accident Attorneys in San Antonio
Don’t take the blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
We have served senior drivers injured in auto accidents in San Antonio for 30 years, and we put our clients first. Contact the team that cares for a free case evaluation today at 800-862-1260. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.
³CDC Senior Driver Recommendations