Palm Spring Drivers Stay Safe Behind the Wheel
Few seniors want to give up their car keys, even if it puts them out of harm’s way in older adulthood. Statistics show that accident rates do increase substantially after age 70, and that can impact some 70 million Americans who are still hanging onto their car keys. However, in California, efforts are being made to improve the safety of older adults who want to maintain the independence by getting behind the wheel. Although the state of California has not yet jumped on board, accelerating the frequency that older adults need to renew their licenses by way of road tests, eye tests or written exams; an act has been passed to improve the safety of seniors on the road.
The Older Driver Pedestrian Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 will require that cities invest $500 annually into making roadways safer and easier to navigate for seniors across California. If implemented, cities will need to create more left turn lanes with advanced signals, and increase the size of road signs so that they are easier to understand. Of course, even with improved road safety, Palm Springs seniors and their families need to take a hard look at their driving skills to ensure that getting behind the wheel won’t be hazardous to their own safety or that of other drivers and pedestrians.
Via: My Desert
Image: kcbs.com
