Car crashes are unfortunately a frequent occurrence on the roads of Dutchess County, Orange County and Ulster County, impacting the lives of countless individuals and families. In this blog post, we will delve into the data provided by the NYS Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research to answer a critical question: How many of these accidents are caused by young, inexperienced drivers aged 16-20, and how many by elderly drivers over the age of 65? Are there any differences between what causes crashes by these different age groups?
Understanding the dynamics behind these accidents is not just a matter of statistical curiosity; it can have a profound impact on road safety, insurance claims, and car crash personal injury cases in the Hudson Valley.
Dutchess County
Dutchess County includes the City of Poughkeepsie, the City of Beacon, East Fishkill, the Town of Poughkeepsie, and many more:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes by 16-20 Year Olds | 889 (14.7%) | 1,062 (15.4%) | 1,101 (14.3%) |
| Crashes by 65 and Older | 1,114 (18.4%) | 1,358 (19.7%) | 1,511 (19.6%) |
| Total Crashes | 6,035 | 6,883 | 7,689 |
The top causes of crashes involving younger drivers in Dutchess County in 2022 were failure to yield right of way (244), following too closely, (233) and driver inattention/distraction (216). For older drivers, it was driver inattention/distraction (363), failure to yield right of way (318) and following too closely (276).
Orange County
Orange County includes the City of Newburgh, the City of Middletown, the Town of Montgomery, the Town of Poughkeepsie, and many more:
| | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes by 16-20 Year Olds | 997 (12.46%) | 1,359 (14.27%) | 1,591 (13.6%) |
| Crashes by 65 and Older | 1,220 (15.24%) | 1,532 (16.08%) | 1,954 (16.7%) |
| Total Crashes | 8,001 | 9,523 | 11,691 |
Ulster County
Ulster County includes the City of Kingston, the Villages of Ellenville and New Paltz, the Town of Ulster, the Town of Esopus, and many more:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes by 16-20 Year Olds | 532 (12%) | 640 (13.7%) | 644 (12.3%) |
| Crashes by 65 and Older | 831 (18.7%) | 986 (21.2%) | 1,118 (21.4%) |
| Total Crashes | 4,431 | 4,646 | 5,205 |
The top causes of crashes involving younger drivers in Ulster County in 2022 were driver inattention/distraction (133), failure to yield right of way (118) and unsafe speed (111). For older drivers, it was driver inattention/distraction (319), failure to yield right of way (254) and following too closely (126).
Analysis of Age Differences in Mid-Hudson Valley Car Crashes
It appears that in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of Dutchess, Orange and Ulster County, more car crashes are caused by senior drivers than 16-20 year olds. That can partially be explained by the fact that the 65+ age range includes a lot more drivers than just the 16-20 range.
An interesting difference to note is that for senior drivers, inattention and distraction are a far higher cause of crashes proportionally than they are for younger drivers, who have somewhat more diverse causes of accidents. In a previous article, we covered some of the ways that driver inattention and distraction can be proven in a personal injury case:
- Proving distraction is significantly easier when a cell phone is involved
- After a crash, you or the responding officers may notice and document factors at the scene of the accident that could contribute to distracted driving
- Vehicle data may prove distraction by the driver
Have you been injured in a car crash due to the neglience of another party? Give us a call at 845-600-0000 to schedule your free consultation at our personal injury law offices in Kingston, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY and New Windsor, NY.