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A man died from a heart attack while driving and crashed his car into the hedges of a cardiology center in Cape Coral earlier this week.
The 83-year-old was driving west on County Club Boulevard near Southeast 10th Street when the car drifted right, crossed a sidewalk and hit some hedges in front of the cardiology center, according to Cape Coral police. The car was going about 15 mph.
The driver apparently died from a heart attack and not from injuries from the crash. The car and property only had minor damage.
Medical and emergency workers tried to revive the man at the scene. Read more.
Medical conditions and the age of drivers can have an impact on a person’s ability to drive. It’s something older drivers as well as their friends and family should keep in mind. We are not saying that this man or any other older driver or someone with a medical condition should not be behind the wheel. People with medical conditions, anyone who takes certain medications that could impair driving or older drivers who have any physical or mental challenges should be aware of potential dangers.
According to AAA:
- Fifty percent of the middle-aged population and 80 percent of people in their 70s suffer from arthritis, crippling inflammation of the joints, which makes turning, flexing and twisting painful.
- Weaker muscles, reduced flexibility and limited range of motion restrict senior drivers’ ability to grip and turn the steering wheel, press the accelerator or brake, or reach to open doors and windows.
- More than 75 percent of drivers age 65 or older report using one or more medications, but less than one-third acknowledged awareness of the potential impact of the medications on driving performance.
- Per mile traveled, fatal crash rates increase beginning at age 75 and rise sharply after age 80. This is mainly due to increased risk of injury and medical complications, rather than an increased tendency to get into crashes.
- Since older drivers are more fragile, their fatality rates are 17 times higher than those of 25- to 64-year-olds.
Read more facts and figures.
If you aren’t sure how your prescriptions could impact your driving, you can find out here.
It can be a difficult decision to give up driving but older drivers should know the dangers they face and determine when it’s time to give up the keys. It’s not only dangerous for the driver who is unable to react or under the influence of medication but also for the other drivers on the road.
At Bernado Injury Law, we know how difficult it can be to be the victim of a crash where the other driver should not be behind the wheel. If we can assist you, visit our website at injuryinfo.org. Contact us at (239) 332-3000 or toll free at 888-428-8943, email us at gethelp@injuryinfo.org.