Every generation of driver find different car features more appealing than others. This is especially true for senior drivers. Features such as better visibility, accessibility, and improved safety are perhaps more important to drivers 65 years and older than younger drivers.
Although statistics by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveal that seniors are driving more now than ever before, there are features in a car that they need to consider over others when choosing what to drive. The IIHS also found that older drivers are less likely to be in a car accident than drivers half their age; however, senior drivers are more likely to die in a collision than younger drivers.
Drivers in the senior demographic also tend to drive older vehicles as well. These cars are missing important modern features such as better airbags, driver assist sensors, or stability control; without them, senior driver fatalities will unfortunately continue to rise.
The solution for older drivers is to purchase newer vehicles with modern safety features, as well as the equipment that suits their needs.
Features Helpful to Senior Drivers
Safety. The best cars for seniors are at present some of the safest cars on the road. Modern vehicles are the safest they have ever been, with standard equipment including antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, and at least six airbags. Furthermore, it is recommended that seniors look for vehicles that are on the IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ ratings lists.
Accessibility. The older you get, the more it is a struggle to get in and out of a seating position, so you should find a car that allows better access; wider door openings and higher seating make entering and exiting easier. Vehicles such as smaller SUVs or crossovers are great examples of accessible seating, and if you are over six feet tall, larger SUVs or pickup trucks may be better.
Visibility. To increase a car’s safety, it is important that the driver can see and be seen. Vehicles such as SUVs and crossovers provide just that; higher seating positions reduces blind spots and increases the driver’s vision. Newer vehicles have better lighting systems that provide brighter illumination for nighttime and daytime driving.
Comfortability. Driving wears a body out, no matter how long the trip is. The best cars for seniors are also the most comfortable, with power-adjustable seats that also have adjustable lumbar support. The most comfortable cars are also the quietest because noise is very distracting to the driver.
Convenience. Modern vehicles are designed to keep the driver’s eyes on the road and reduce distractions. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive, and steering wheels and radios have buttons close to the driver so that they do not have to reach far. Larger touchscreens give the driver better accessibility to climate controls and radio controls, and proximity keys make opening and locking the vehicle much more convenient, especially if your hands are full.
Technology. Modern vehicles are equipped with driver assist technology that makes traversing the roadways easier. Systems such as rearview cameras, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control are just a few of the many safety features in vehicles today. Other driver assist technology includes:
- Forward collision warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Parking aid sensors
- Parking assist
- Lane keeping assistance
Maintenance. With any vehicle, things go wrong, but newer vehicles normally require less maintenance than older vehicles. Newer cars are equipped with modern tires and brakes that are designed to not only be safer, but also last longer. Additionally, newer cars are better on fuel economy.
Delaware County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Senior Drivers Injured by Negligent Drivers
Regardless of age, you want to have the best and safest vehicle you can afford. But even having the safest car does not protect you from reckless drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, reach out to the Delaware County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Our knowledgeable team has decades of experience with cases like this and will gladly help you get the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us at 610-565-3701 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.