Senior Drivers

The U.S. has 18.5 millions licensed drivers aged 71 and over. A study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found drivers over the age of 65 are almost twice (1.78 times) as likely to die in car crashes as drivers age 55 to 64.

Sadly, as drivers age things rapidly go from bad to worse. The report also revealed that drivers over 75 were over two-and-a-half times (2.59) as likely to die in a car crash and drivers over 85 were almost four times (3.72) as likely to die when compared to drivers aged 55 to 64.

As we age, our reaction time and other cognitive skills can diminish," said Peter Kissinger, President of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "For instance, our eyesight deteriorates to such an extent that by age 60 we require 10 times the amount of light necessary to see an object as when we were 16."

The study also found that senior drivers are more likely to be involved in left-turn crashes as they age. The potential left-turn crash-risk is 25% higher for 65 year-olds and 50% higher for 85 year-olds compared to 55 to 64 year-olds.

In addition, when compared to drivers 55 to 64 those over 65 were more likely to have been ill or suffering from some other physical ailment and more often to have had perceptual lapses that contributed to their crash.

These statistics culled from the Texas Transportation Institute study for the AAA Foundation are all the more troubling since the population of seniors is increasing substantially. By 2030 one in five Americans will be 65 or older.

"Second only to teen drivers, older drivers are the second most likely group to sustain injuries or death in traffic crashes," said Kissinger. "It is vital that seniors periodically and honestly review their driving performance."

How Old is Too Old Behind The Wheel?

July 17, 2003 - Yahoo News

There are new questions about the safety of elderly drivers behind the wheel following Wednesday's accident at a Santa Monica, Calif., farmer's market. An 86-year-old man allegedly drove his car through three blocks of the market, leaving nine people dead and over 50 injured.

Newscenter 5's Janet Wu explored the question of whether there is a fair way to keep good elderly drivers on the road and keep bad drivers off. Local seniors do not like the idea of giving up their keys, seeing it as giving up their independence.

"I don't think it's a matter of chronological age, I think it's matter of maturity and physical condition and mental acuity," said Harold Garfinkle, 81.

Hannah Balton, 83, just sold her car last week.

"My children were worried about me so it was better to just get rid of (my car). It took me a while because you give up your independence," Balton said.

Maxine Anderson, 89, said she intends to drive at least until her license comes up for renewal in two years.

"I'll see how I feel then -- I'll be two years older," Anderson said.

Each year in Massachusetts, about 7,500 seniors, those over 68 years of age, either let their licenses lapse or lose their right to drive after failing an eye or road test. A road test is only given when police, doctors or concerned family members request it. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston has a program that counsels and test seniors' driving abilities.

"Of the clients who come in that are over 65 years if age, I would say probably 60 percent to 70 percent of them no longer can drive, " said Lissa Kapust of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital's Drivewise program.

Kapust said most studies show that seniors are no more dangerous than drivers under 25, a fact that is confirmed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. An RMV representative said most seniors adequately regulate their own ability to drive.

"People aged 60 to 70 actually show to be our safest drivers. At about the age of 75, something happens and that number spikes up where, within that age group, they have had at least one accident in the last year," said the RMV's Steve Evans.

Evans said anyone can file a request to have a driver tested when it comes time for license renewal, as long as it is a legitimate, written request.

Twenty-one states have specific laws for elderly drivers. Massachusetts is not among them, but in New Hampshire, drivers 75 years of age and older must take a road test to renew their licenses. In Rhode Island, drivers 70 years of age and older must renew their licenses every two years.

Staying On the Road

Techniques and technology to help older people drive more safely
By AMY DICKINSON

TIME Archive.

John Wolff, who turns 96 this month, drives his 1995 Buick Regal to doctor's appointments, local shops and, on Saturdays, to teach a class at Georgetown law school. " I just love to drive," he says. " It's the key to my independence." Wolff's daughter, Patricia Hartman, 59, is somewhat less enthusiastic about her dad's outings, but she tries not to worry about her father's driving. " His health is good, he's really alert, and his reflexes are great," she says. " He's always been slow and cautious. When I was a kid, it drove me crazy, and his driving hasn't changed much. Now it seems safe."

The U.S. has 18.5 millions licensed drivers aged 71 and over. Some drive well, some atrociously. What should family, friends and licensing authorities do? One of the things researchers are doing is looking at how technology might help, for example: M.I.T. AgeLab's 2000 VW "Smartcar" Beetle is fitted with a vision enhancement screen to reduce glare, a collision warning system, and an emergency alert system that beeps when a vehicle wanders from its lane. There are other useful devices that can help, such as corrective mirrors, raised driver seats, pedal extensions, and so on, not to mention driver training courses that update skills.

In the end though, family, friends, driving professionals and licensing authorities will have to team up to assist drivers who unfortunately age and the loss of ability and agility will eventually result in the need to hang up their driving keys and make a graceful exit.

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