Rhode Island ranked among the safer states for senior citizen drivers, a recent study revealed.
"Older adults are staying behind the wheel for longer than ever, helping them stay independent and connected," according to a media release accompanying the results of the study.
"While many senior drivers have years of driving experience, age-related changes such as slower reaction times and reduced vision can increase the risk of being involved in serious crashes," the release said. "However, the share of fatal crashes involving older drivers varies widely across the country."
The study, conducted by the researchers at commercial insurance advisors Coverage Axis, "analyzed traffic fatality data from the past three years to identify the states where drivers aged 65 and older account for the highest share of fatal crashes," according to the release.
"Researchers compared the percentage of all traffic fatalities involving a driver aged 65 or older and also identified the month when these fatal crashes happened most often in each state," the release said.
Rhode Island ranked 13th out of the 48 contiguous states examined for the study.
The most dangerous state was West Virginia, followed by North Dakota and Minnesota.
"Over the past three years, the state recorded 273 fatal crashes involving senior drivers out of 980 total traffic fatalities,"the release said, noting that "August was the deadliest month for these crashes."
California was the safest state, the study determined, with Texas and Maryland ranked second and third.
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