Posted on Apr 19, 2012
Seniors in Georgia were handed a dubious distinction this month when the state was ranked 5th in the nation for auto accident fatalities among people aged 65 and up and 6th in the nation for fatal accidents involving seniors in 2010. Though falling far short of neighboring Florida, which topped the list compiled by national transportation research group TRIP, the statistics still bode poorly for Georgia’s older residents. Georgia ranks only 12th nationwide in terms of the number of seniors licensed to drive with just over 900,000. Accident reports, however, showed 228 accident fatalities in which seniors were involved and 152 in which the seniors themselves were casualties. Seniors nationwide account for 17% of all traffic fatalities. To those states at the top of its list, TRIP recommends safer roads, safer drivers, safer vehicles, and improved transportation options.