Senior Driving
Experts predict that 37 million Americans will be age 65 or older by the year 2020 and at least 90 percent of them will be licensed to drive. More than 183,000 seniors were injured in crashes in 2008, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With the exception of teenagers, older Americans have the highest crash death rate per mile driven.
Traffic safety is vital for drivers of all ages, but older drivers experience physical changes that can affect driving ability including changes in vision, reaction time and flexibility. However, these skills deteriorate slowly over time, which is why it's important for drivers to regularly "self-check" their driving skills. The most important physical aspect of driving is seeing. In fact, 85% of driving is visual and 15% of driving is skill. It is proven that after age 40, eyesight deteriorates. A 60-year old driver requires ten times as much light to see as a 19 year old. Eyesight should be checked every two years, as opposed to relying on the test given by the Department of Motor Vehicles during license renewal. Senior drivers are generally smart drivers. They know their limitations, so they drive less, less at night and less in inclement weather. However, senior drivers injure more easily than younger drivers. The problem is not that senior drivers crash more but that they are more likely to die from injuries or get hurt. In fact:
- Seniors kill fewer motorists and pedestrians than drivers of any other age group
- Seniors have the lowest crash involvement rates per licensed driver
- Seniors have the lowest rate of crash involvement rates involving alcohol impairment
- Seniors have the highest rates of seat belt use among adults
Medications and Driving
A lesser known issue is the potentially dangerous combination of medication and driving. A recent AAA Foundation study (Aug. 2009) found that a large majority of drivers 55+ are unaware of the potentially dangerous combination of medications and driving. In fact, 78% surveyed take medications but just more than 1 in 4 are aware of potential impacts on driving. View the report to learn how you can avoid driving danger caused by medication.
AAASeniors.com
Visit www.AAASeniors.com to learn all you need to know about senior driver safety and mobility. A site providing families of older drivers with valuable information related to senior mobility challenges and tools to help extend safe driving, and assist in difficult discussions about transitioning from driver to passenger.
DriveSharp
DriveSharp is an interactive series of game-like computer exercises shown in independent studies to improve reaction time, reduce crash risk and increase control in most driving conditions.
Using DriveSharp can help you:
- Cut your risk of a car crash by up to 50%
- Increase useful field of view by up to 200%
- Reduce stopping distance by up to 22 feet at 55mph
- Increase confidence while driving at night and in congested traffic
In just twenty minutes a day, three times per week, DriveSharp can train your brain. To find out more about DriveSharp click here.
CarFit:
The way you drive is not the only factor that helps determine how safe you are on the road. Your comfort level and how well you "fit" in your vehicle are also important. Learn what AAA is doing to help older drivers make their vehicles the right fit.
Roadwise Review
Check your driving abilities conveniently and confidentially from the privacy of your own home. Roadwise Review, available on CD-ROM is a scientifically validated screening tool developed by AAA and noted transportation safety researchers. Find out how to measure the eight functional abilities shown to be the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers.
Other AAA resources available to help seniors gauge their ability to drive safely: