Crash Claims Life Of 85-Year Old Woman

Knoxville TV station WBIR reported on a fatal accident involving an 85-year old woman driving a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer in Scott County Tennessee. The article on the website for WBIR says that Edith Mae Marcum, 85, of Oneida was attempting a left turn from Highway 67 onto Highway 63, when  she pulled into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer driven by William P. Renfo of Louisville. She was pronounced dean at the scene.

My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ms. Marcum and we are thankful that Mr. Renfro was not seriously injured. The Center For Disease Control and Prevention has gathered some interesting facts about older drivers that I would like to share with you.

Older Adult Drivers: Fact Sheet

There are 30 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States. When injured in motor vehicle crashes, older drivers are more likely to die than younger drivers, underscoring the importance of older driver safety.

How big is the problem?

* More than 175,200 adults ages 65 and older were injured as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2006.

* There were 30 million licensed older drivers in 2006, a 18–percent increase from 1996. In contrast, the total number of licensed drivers increased by only 13 percent during the same time period.

* Drivers ages 80 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than all but teen drivers.

What are the risk factors, and who is at highest risk?

* Age–related decreases in vision, cognitive functions, and physical impairments may affect some older adults’ driving ability.

* Across all age groups, rates for motor vehicle-related fatalities are higher for men than for women.

* Older drivers are more likely than younger drivers to die from injuries they sustain in a motor vehicle crash.

Are there protective factors?

There are protective factors that may help improve older adults’ safety while driving:

* More than three-quarters (76%) of all older motor vehicle occupants (drivers and passengers) involved in fatal crashes were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, compared to 62 percent for other adult occupants under age 65.

* Older adult drivers tend to drive when conditions are safest. They limit their driving during bad weather and at night and drive fewer miles than younger drivers.

* Older adult drivers are less likely to drink and drive than other adult drivers.

If you or a loved one is involved in a Nashville automobile accident involving an elderly driver contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation and find out about your rights and remedies.