Many seniors are reluctant to give up their car keys in their golden years, seeing them as a lifeline to self-sufficiency and independence. In fact, in 2021, of the estimated 37 million people in the United States aged 70 and older, approximately 32 million were licensed drivers, according to state-reported data to the Federal Highway Administration. However, with advancing age, factors like slower reflexes and changes in vision can affect driving abilities, raising the question of how safe it is for seniors to stay on the road.
A recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows the states where senior driving is notably safer. The study, conducted by BaderScott law firm, analyzed state-specific fatality rates in road accidents across age groups to determine these risks. Here are 10 states in the U.S. where senior drivers are safest.
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10. Maryland
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 15.96
Landing comfortably in the tenth spot is Maryland, where older drivers contribute to a unique 15.96% of road fatalities. Out of a total of 5,199 road accident deaths, 830 involve senior drivers aged 65 and over.
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9. Mississippi
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 15.46%
Mississippi finds itself in ninth place, where about 15.46% of road fatalities involve drivers aged 65 and older.
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8. South Carolina
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 15.35%
In South Carolina, senior drivers appear to be faring relatively better in terms of road safety. Among the state’s total road fatalities, which amount to 9,747, only 15.35% or 1,496 of these tragic deaths involved drivers over the age of 65.
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7. Alabama
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 15.27%
In Alabama, senior drivers accounted for 1,408 of the state’s total 9,219 road fatalities, representing 15.27% of the deaths.
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6. Wyoming
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 14.09%
With drivers aged 65 and above contributing to 14.09% of road accident fatalities, Wyoming takes the sixth position. Out of the state’s total of 1,235 road accident deaths, 174 fall into the older driver category.
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5. Alaska
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65:14.08%The snow-covered roads in Alaska would make you think driving is a challenging task, but the state ranks as the fifth safest in the nation for older drivers with just 689 deaths in total, where 97 deaths are over 65 years of age.
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4. North Dakota
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 14.03%
In fourth place, we have North Dakota, where folks aged over 65 made up 14.03% of road accident fatalities. In this state, there were a total of just 1,219 deaths, and among them, 171 were individuals aged 65 and older.
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3. Texas
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 13.76%
Drivers aged 65 and above contribute to 13.76% of road accident fatalities in the Lone Star State, ranking in the third place. Texas, with its vast population, recorded a whopping 37,085 road accident deaths overall with only 1,051 of these casualties were among the senior driving squad.
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2. New Mexico
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 13.72%
New Mexico takes the silver medal for the safest state for senior drivers, where the roads saw a total of 3,842 accident-related deaths, where older folks, at 13.72%, account for a 527 of these fatalities, marking the second lowest percentage in the nation.
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1. Louisiana
Percentage of deaths over the age of 65: 13.57%
Senior residents of Louisiana can breathe easy knowing that they can cruise through the Bayou State, which proudly holds the title of the safest in the nation for older drivers.
According to the data from 2017 to 2021, there were a total of 7,743 road accident-related fatalities, with older drivers accounting for 1,051 of these tragic incidents.
You can also read about the states where senior drivers are most at risk.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
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