MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The number of older drivers getting seriously injured or killed in traffic crashes in Dane County rose last year when compared to previous four years. The nonprofit Safe Communities of Madison and Dane County and the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission released their report on the subject Wednesday.

35 drivers aged 65 or older were seriously injured in car crashes in Dane County last year, and another 8 drivers died. Between 2019 and 2022, an average of 28 older drivers were seriously injured in a car crash every year, and an average of 7 older drivers died every year. That’s an overall increase of 23%.

Drivers aged 65 and older accounted for a quarter of all traffic fatalities across the county last year, though were only involved in 18% of crashes. While older drivers crash more per-mile than middle-aged adults, says Cheryl Wittke, executive director of Safe Communities Madison and Dane County, they do not crash as much as young drivers. 

While older drivers tend to get hurt more seriously in crashes, Wittke says that modern automatic safety features do make a big difference. “With standard side airbags, vehicles are seeing improved side impact protection, especially for older drivers,” she says. “Lane change alerts and automatic braking help all drivers, but especially older drivers.”

Wittke says that features like these can compensate for the normal process of aging that can affect the ability to drive. Nick Jarmusz is with AAA of Wisconsin, and a member of the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission.

He says that natural changes for older drivers can be subtle, and may not be recognizable at first glance. These include frequently having trouble reading traffic signs, feeling stressed when driving, having friends or family express concerns with you driving, and difficulty looking over your shoulder when changing lanes or back. If you regularly experience these situations, Jarmusz recommends starting a discussion with your families and doctor. 

“These don’t necessarily mean they need to stop driving,” Jarmusz says. “They may want to self-impose restrictions, such as not driving after dark, in bad weather, or during heavy traffic times. In extreme cases, there may come a time when stopping driving is the safest decision for themselves and others on the road.”