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Car technology can make driving more dangerous for older people

Pennsylvania drivers may be interested to learn that the advancing technology that’s being put into vehicles may make driving more difficult or challenging for older people. In many cases, the new technology results in distracted driving that increases crash risks.

According to a report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah, drivers who are between the ages of 55 and 75 are more likely to take their sight off the road while using in-vehicle technology than younger drivers. In fact, the older drivers had their eyes off the street for an average of eight seconds longer than the drivers between the ages of 21 to 36 years old.

Much of the increasing amount of technology is actually intended to make driving safer. However, some of the infotainment systems and voice-command functions are too complex for some people. This is resulting in older drivers needing more time to complete tasks. However, a head researcher for AAA noted that the complexity and the occasional poor functionality of some of the vehicle technology is a design problem and not an age problem. Safety advocates claim that manufacturers need to design systems that benefit all drivers.

AAA states that a driver taking their eyes off the street for two seconds will double their risk of causing a car accident. If a distracted driver causes an accident, a personal injury attorney may help an injured victim file a claim for damages. A plaintiff could obtain compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical bills.