Senior Drivers: Being Prepared and Safe

Are you over 65 years old? Or maybe you have a family member over 65 and still driving a car? Then this article is for you; providing tips and information on what to do if you or someone in your family is getting up in years.

Young and Senior Drivers—Not the Same

In 2013, there were 5,671 people 65 and older killed and 222,000 injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. These older people made up 17 percent of all traffic fatalities and 10 percent of all people injured in traffic crashes during the year. Compared to 2012, fatalities among people 65 and older and injured people in this age group increased by 1 percent.

When looking at the vehicle fatality rate by age, there is a noticeable curve, or U shape. For young drivers where the fatality rate is the highest, the cause is a mixture of actions, primarily related to inexperience and/or risky behavior. But for drivers over 65, inexperience is clearly not the reason. Being an older driver does not mean an inability to drive, but it can mean an increased fragility. Older drivers are more likely to die in crashes that younger people may survive. Being an older driver requires greater awareness and understanding of any limitations because of aging.

Senior drivers are typically safe drivers, however the aging process affects their reaction time and judgment.  So what is one to do?  Just stop driving at a certain age?  The short answer to that question, based on the research, is an emphatic No.  Chronological age is not a good indication of safe—or unsafe—driving.  However, as we grow older issues can arise.  Understanding and addressing those issues is the critical consideration for any senior driver. Being a senior driver means taking advantage of the tools and information specifically tailored for you.

A Self-Evaluation Tool For Senior Drivers

One example of an easy on-line tool is AAA’s “Roadwise Review” that evaluates a senior driver’s skills. It’s free, it can be done by anyone, and it takes only about 30-45 minutes to complete.  In making its determination, the evaluation looks at eight important considerations, including:

• Flexibility
• Visual Acuity
• Memory, and
• Mental Processing Speed.

After completing it, the person being evaluated receives a confidential report. The report provides feedback on each area using three levels: Severe, Moderate or None. Where appropriate, suggestions on ways to improve driving abilities are also provided.  Taking this evaluation annually can help show clear changes in ability.

Know The Useful Car Features

It is also important to have the “right” car. It can make a big difference in being a safe driver.  While there is no “best” car for senior drivers because of the wide variety of individual physical challenges, there may be important features that should be considered when choosing a car. It is also important to know of any personal limitations, and then look for features that help address them.  To learn about any features that may be helpful, check out AAA’s Smart Features for Older Drivers, a useful brochure to find out what features may be useful depending on your situation.  It can be printed and taken with you when looking for a car.

Medication And Senior Drivers

As we age, we are likely to take medication for a variety of ailments.  In a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey of people 55 years and older, 18% of the people surveyed indicated that they had received a warning from a doctor or nurse about the medication they were using and how it could impact their driving abilities.  Only 28% even recognized that driving could be affected by prescription drugs.  However, the fact that that some senior drivers are driving impaired from medication is a significant and growing concern. “Roadwise RX,” it is a free online tool that enables you to list medications you take and then receive a report on how those drugs may impair you.  It also includes possible interactions between medications.

Making Plans Beforehand

It is important for senior drivers and their family members to recognize that in time they could become a danger on the road. Hanging up the keys for good can be one of the hardest decisions for any senior citizen.  It can also be one of the hardest conversations for family members to have with a parent or grandparent. How can it be made easier? By planning ahead. Consider how you should have a conversation on what to do if a senior driver becomes a danger to others on the road. The first step is to have the conversation before it is an issue, while the senior driver is still a safe driver.  Planning ahead for what to do if the situation arises demonstrates that you care for the person, while allowing for a free flowing discussion on how to remedy a future potentially dangerous situation.   The senior driver is an active participant in the decision-making process.

You will find useful information about having that conversation at “We Need to Talk.” This is always a tough subject but it is an important one, when everyone’s safety is at risk.

As you reach that age where you are free to visit family and friends, or travel across the country to see new sights, you want to be sure to arrive safe and sound. Take the time to make sure your driving skills are safe for you, those in your car, and everyone around you as you head out on your next adventure.

Related Links:

Websites:

• Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
• Roadwise Review
• AAA Roadwise
• Senior Driving AAA
• Smart Features for Older Drivers

Research:

• Traffic Safety Facts: Older Population

Other:

• Driving Safety While Aging Gracefully – NHTSA Publication