Older drivers who experience falls may be at a higher risk for car crashes
Experts believe that falls are related to driving in four ways: They can cause physical injury that limits mobility (our ability to move) and interferes with driving performance. Falling can increase the fear of falling, which leads to a reduction in physical activity . Reduced physical activity can weaken our physical strength, which also could reduce fitness for driving. Falls can affect an older adult's mental well-being, making them more fearful and leading to changes in driving behaviors. Falls and difficulty driving may be caused by common factors, such as vision problems. A research team created a study to see whether falls were related to driving risks and behaviors among older adults. Their study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society . To test their theory that falls are related to car crashes, crash-related injuries, and changes in driving performance, the researchers reviewed 15 studies of driving behavior among older adults involv...