Arizona sees an influx of seasonal residents every fall and early winter. Snowbirds who live in the colder states to the north flock in large numbers to the warm, dry climates of Arizona until spring comes. Some snowbirds come here every year and may own property in the state, while others rent in a month-to-month agreement for the duration of their time in Arizona.
Regardless of whether you own property here or rent as you try to escape the dropping temperatures in your home state, there are certain risks you have as a seasonal resident in Arizona. You may struggle to adjust to the slightly different culture and different driving rules here in Arizona. There is also the risk of getting into a crash while in a state far from home.
Not only could a crash in Arizona have insurance implications for you if your health insurance doesn’t have in-network providers nearby, but you could also have a much higher risk for severe or fatal injury than younger drivers in similar circumstances.
Older adults are more likely to suffer fatal consequences after a crash
Motor vehicle collisions know no age, race or gender. They claim the lives of everyone without discrimination. However, statistics do show that certain people have more risk of dying after a crash than other populations.
Adults over the age of 65 have an increased risk for fatal injuries in a crash, and those over 75 are at significantly higher risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many snowbirds fall into this age category, which means that a fender bender could have catastrophic consequences for them or their spouse.
Lack of familiarity with local roads and confusion about unique aspects of Arizona traffic law, like lanes whose uses change with the time of day, can increase a visitor’s risk of getting into a crash.
Greater risks demand greater care at the wheel
When you realize that you have a higher statistical risk than people of other ages in the same situation, that information should help you make decisions to better protect yourself.
Knowing your route before you leave home, using hands-free options for communication devices, having a friend or spouse navigate, and carefully complying with all traffic laws can reduce your risk of causing a crash that leaves you or someone you love hurt.