Expectition in old age: seniors behind the wheel - risk or long -term protection?
Expectition in old age: seniors behind the wheel - risk or long -term protection?
Güstrow, Deutschland - Mobility of older people is a hotly discussed topic, especially in rural areas such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where driving often represents the key to social participation. According to a report by the Nordkurier, however, the ability to travel is an important concern, since numerous studies show that cognitive and physical skills decrease in old age. Police commissioner Carola Johannsen underlines how crucial mobility is for the lives of older people. Accompanying this, Dr. Doreen Görß, specialist in neurology, that the higher brain functions in older drivers drop, which leads to an increase in the number of accidents.
A total of 7477 traffic accidents were recorded in the Rostock district last year. It is particularly worrying that 1183 of which were caused by drivers over 65 years. This group was responsible for 26.4% of all serious accidents. Typical mistakes in this age group include right -wing nights and weeks of difficulty when turning or reversing. In a nationwide comparison, the proportion of accidents caused by seniors is alarming: they make up 21.2% of all personal damage accidents, as the nationwide traffic accident statistics 2024 shows.skills and challenges in old age
The question of how to increase the safety of older drivers is up for discussion. While Christin Knochenhauer, chair of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Association, indicates that healthy driving awareness does not depend solely on the age, an investigation by the Federal Institute for Road Systems (BAST) discusses that age-specific functional changes and mobility needs should also be discussed. These special research projects show that older drivers, despite their declining driving ability, often have a good feeling for their own skills. However, this does not mean that no preventive measures are necessary.
A first step in this direction could be a training course for refreshing the driving skills. Various organizations, such as the ADAC and DEKRA, offer special programs for seniors. These are intended to strengthen self -confidence and convey security -relevant information. Nevertheless, the acceptance of such offers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is still very low. This gap has to be closed to increase traffic safety.
demands for regular tests
There are voices that require a regular review of the ability to drive for seniors in order to further reduce the risk of accidents. A survey by the Federal Statistical Office shows that 69% of accidents are caused by personal injury from drivers aged 65 and over; This proportion even increases to 77% for over 75-year-olds. Nevertheless, Federal Transport Minister Wissing rejects legal requirements for regular driving tests. A balanced discussion should be in the foreground, which takes into account both security and the mobility of the older generation.
In summary, it can be seen that it is important to involve older road users in the discussion about traffic safety. All measures should aim to strengthen personal responsibility and at the same time create preventive offers that encourage seniors to refresh their driving skills. Because mobility is not only a sign of independence, but also a basic pillar for well -being in old age.For further information and in-depth insights into the topic you can report the reports on , Bast , and and know read.
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| Ort | Güstrow, Deutschland |
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