A team of researchers in Pennsylvania have found that newly licensed teens and adults aged 65 and older tend to drive older vehicles more than do middle-aged drivers. The unfortunate thing about this is that older vehicles are relatively unsafe and that teens and seniors are, in fact, the two age groups who run the most risk for a car crash.
Income level plays an obvious role
Researchers found that teens in lower-income neighborhoods own vehicles that are, on average, nearly twice as old as those driven by higher-income teens. They determined that all age groups tend to own older vehicles when they come from lower-income neighborhoods.
What data the study utilized
The study was conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For its data, researchers used 2010-2017 crash data from the New Jersey Safety and Health Outcomes Data Warehouse. They determined the VIN of each vehicle and found out how old it was, what its engine power was, what safety features it had and so on.
The special focus was on electronic stability control and side and curtain airbags, which many older vehicles lack. ESC can help stabilize a vehicle when drivers are taking sharp turns or traveling on a slippery surface. The side airbags can protect occupants in a side-impact collision.
Legal assistance with your case
Many victims of Pennsylvania car accidents can file a personal injury claim. To learn how your case would fare, you may want to meet with an attorney. A lawyer could bring in third parties like accident investigators and medical experts to gather proof of the defendant’s negligence and determine the extent of your injuries. The lawyer may speak on your behalf for a settlement out of court.
