3-7-17 aaa study-falls crash risk

A new AAA study suggests that seniors and their families should view falls as a possible early indicator of risk behind the wheel.  According to the research, older drivers with a history of falling are 40 percent more likely to be involved in crashes than their peers.  State AAA spokesman Nick Jarmusz says drivers age 60 and older are involved in more than 400,000 crashes each year.  He says falls can increase crash risk by causing injuries such as wrist fractures or broken legs that can make it difficult for older drivers to steer or brake to avoid a crash.  Wisconsin ranks second in the country in fall-related deaths in the U.S. more than twice the national rate.  Jarmusz says AAA is partnering with the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging to sponsor a Stepping On initiative in communities throughout the state to help identify and reduce the risk for a crash.