Posted Mar 9, 2012
When it comes to driver safety, teens are often singled out. Today, we’ll flip that to the other end of the spectrum–elderly drivers.
The baby boomer generation is getting up there in years, and that means the elderly driving population is growing rapidly.
As the nonprofit transportation research group TRIP pointed out in a recent study, the U.S. population of people 65 and older is expected to spike by 60 percent by 2025.
That same study points out that while elderly drivers account for only 8 percent of all miles driven, they comprise 17 percent of all traffic deaths. In 2010, Virginia ranked 16th in the nation for the number of elderly drivers killed in car crashes, the study reveals. The state comes in 13th for the total number of elderly drivers.
What’s it all mean?
The folks at TRIP say this is one more reason why the state, and nation, needs to invest in transportation infrastructure–better roads, better signs and lighting, better public transportation and better education and evaluations for elderly drivers.
TRIP also notes that safer cars can help, too.
This is one of the more interesting facets of driver safety, as auto manufacturers are moving more and more toward technology that likely will lead to a day when cars communicate with each other as well as signs and traffic lights, which can reduce many crashes caused by unmindful, forgetful or just plain bad drivers.
On another note, here are a couple of updates on city traffic improvements. After recent complaints, city workers have adjusted the traffic signals along U.S. 1 at Idlewild Boulevard and Cowan Boulevard, according to Fredericksburg Deputy Superintendent of Traffic Shawn Beavon.
Also, the city recently upgraded the signs and pavement markings at the historically confusing stretch on Lafayette Boulevard in the area of the train station.
Dear Scott: The speed limit on State Route 208 (Courthouse Road) in Spotsylvania County that includes the intersection with Smith Station Road is 55 mph, regardless of the fact that:
* Three of the corners of that intersection have commercial properties with access/egress onto Courthouse Road. * There are three schools plus the Spotsylvania County Technical Center within a 0.7-mile radius of the intersection.
That means there is a lot of commercial, school-related and through traffic in this small area.
It seems to me that the speed on Courthouse Road from Courtland Elementary School through the intersection at Smith Station Road should be reduced to 45 mph.
What do the VDOT folks have to say about the speed in this congested area?
–George Kimmell, Spotsylvania
Mr. Kimmell sent in this question after another reader asked in this column why the Lake Anna Parkway speed limit was 45 mph instead of 55.
Lowering the speed limit in the area he points out might make sense, with the businesses and school being there.
VDOT’s Kelly Hannon said they have looked at the area and plan to conduct a speed study, which could take up to three months.
So we should have an answer to this question in the spring.
Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436 sshenk@freelancestar.com
©2012 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.)
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