Southwest Side Crash Leaves 75-Year-Old Hospitalized

San Antonio police have reported that a man in his 70s was sent to the hospital after a crash that took place on Monday, March 20. The incident took place in the 3400 block of Nogalitos Street.

The 75-year-old was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center by EMS. The other driver involved only suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by family members.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Driving as You Age

As we begin to age, our physical abilities begin to change. From slower reaction time to loss of vision, our ability to drive can also be affected. Unfortunately, injuries can further limit range of motion and certain medical conditions can make it more difficult to drive. 

While this all seems dire, it is possible to keep driving safely into your golden years. However, there are precautions that need to be taken for your safety and the safety of others: 

• It’s easier for older adults to drive cars with automatic transmissions.
• Safety features like backup cameras and sensors can make driving easier.
• Speak with your doctor about your health and how it can affect your driving.
• Do NOT drive at night or in bad weather if you suffer from poor vision. Sunrise and sunset can also be dangerous times to drive no matter your age since the sun can create blind spots.
• Pick times and routes that will let you avoid heavy traffic. Surface streets with fewer left turns tend to be the easiest to drive. 
• Work on your strength and flexibility. Good flexibility will also make it easier to look behind you and check your surroundings.
• Be honest with your health. There’s no shame in choosing not to drive if you don’t feel well. You should also be ready to address any loss of vision or hearing. 
• Make sure you take driving safely as seriously as it deserves. Don’t be distracted when you drive and always wear your seat belt. 
• If you want a refresher, there are driving classes that can improve your driving skills.

There are medical professionals, like occupational therapists, who can check your driving skills. You can also get feedback from friends or family. AARP and some car insurance companies can also direct you to driver safety courses. 

As a bonus, many will also give you a discount for taking the class!

How To Tell When You or a Loved One Should Stop Driving

While this is a hard subject to discuss, recognizing that you may need to stop driving can keep you and others safer on the road. These are a few signs that you or an older loved one should stop driving:

• Multiple traffic tickets in a short time span
• Worsening health including poor eyesight and difficulty controlling movement
• Frequent dents, near misses, and minor accidents
• Friends and neighbors may notice aggressive driving or other unsafe behaviors
• Your doctor recommends that you need to change your driving habits or that you should stop driving

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Let the Villalobos Law Firm Fight for You

If you’ve been in a car accident and you weren’t at fault, you can get compensation for your injury. Don’t go it alone, the Villalobos Law Firm has your back. We’ll fight for you like you’re family. 

Don’t wait, contact us today for your free case evaluation.

Get Your FREE Case Evaluation 

Source: KSAT