WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - New data shows the highway can be a deadly place for older drivers in Louisiana.

State highway safety leaders say despite the fact older drivers drive less than other demographics, their death rates are higher in car accidents.

Preliminary figures from last year show that the death rate for 75-84 year-old drivers was 21 percent higher than 55-64 year-olds.

Experts attribute the higher death rates to older drivers being more fragile, as well as impaired vision, cognitive and motor skills.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that most drivers 70 or older will outlive their ability to drive safely by seven to 10 years.

They say the number of people 65 and older is estimated to more than double by mid- century to 80 million.