Elderly driver beware: Florida isn’t the most dangerous state for older motorists
Okay, we all know that Florida has something of a reputation for retirement. Namely, the Sunshine State serves as a hotspot for American retirees, with a higher percentage of senior citizens than any other US state. However, that figure doesn’t mean dangerous road conditions for the average elderly Floridian driver. In fact, a new study suggests the popular retirement spot didn’t even make the top 10 riskiest driving states for older motorists.
West Virginia takes the top spot among the most dangerous states for elderly drivers, while Rhode Island is the safest bet
A recent study by J & Y Law outlined crash and fatal accident data among elderly driver populations in every US state. Of the 50 states where senior citizens often hit the road, West Virginia’s country roads were the least hospitable in the country for drivers older than 65.
West Virginia has around 4.68 fatal accidents involving elderly drivers over 65 years old per 100,000 residents. That narrowly puts the Mountain State just ahead of Wyoming and Arkansas, which tied for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots with a rate of 4.47.
| Rank | State | Elderly driver fatal accidents per 100K residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 4.68 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 4.47 |
| 3 | Arkansas | 4.47 |
| 4 | Kentucky | 4.32 |
| 5 | Mississippi | 4.25 |
| 6 | Montana | 4.19 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 4.18 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 4.04 |
| 9 | Missouri | 4.00 |
| 10 | Alabama | 3.98 |
Interestingly enough, Florida is nowhere to be found on the list of the top 10 most dangerous states for elderly drivers. J & Y Law maintains that the NHTSA fatal accident data isn’t a random phenomenon. “In West Virginia, the combination of mountainous terrain and an aging population, who may have slower reaction times or be at increased risk for sudden health events, such as strokes, can create hazardous conditions,” a spokesperson from the law firm added.
But that doesn’t mean Florida is a haven of safety for the average elderly driver, either. Granted, America’s southernmost state enjoys year-round sunshine (aside from the occasional hurricane or tropical storm). However, the state isn’t among the safest states for an elderly driver population. Instead, Rhode Island enjoys a commanding lead over the least risky options with just 0.27 elderly driver fatalities per 100,000 residents.
