We provide this free safety resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

Take a few minutes to answer the following questions about your recent driving experiences. The purpose is not to embarrass you, but rather to potentially save you from some embarrassing moments and reduce your potential legal exposure:
1. Do other drivers often honk at you?
2. Lately, have you had some fender benders?
3. Lately, have you been in a collision?
4. Do you get lost, even on well-known roads?
5. Do cars seem to appear out of nowhere?
6. Have family, friends or your doctor said they are worried about your driving?
7. Do you drive less because you are not as confident about your ability as you once were?

An older driver who answers yes to any of these questions probably should give serious thought to whether he or she is safe behind the wheel. These questions, compiled by the National Institute on Aging, are similar to benchmarks used by many groups studying the effects of age on driving.

Of course, an individual’s ability to drive can vary, regardless of age. The issue of older drivers is sensitive for several reasons, including the fact that many senior citizens equate driving with independence and self-esteem. Because of this sensitivity, the topic is being carefully examined by private and public organizations to help older drivers stay safe on the road and to develop alternative transportation options.

The aging process

Recent federal research about older drivers indicates that the aging process causes reduced vision, slower reaction times, a loss of information-processing ability and reduced neck and upper body flexibility. Many older drivers are aware of their limitations and voluntarily avoid driving at night, on highways, during rush hour and in bad weather, says John Eberhard, a senior research psychologist with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Figures from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) underscore cause for concern: Per mile driven, drivers 75 years and older have higher rates of being involved in fatal crashes than drivers in other age groups, except teenagers. They also are more vulnerable to injury and more likely to die when they are in crashes because they are more susceptible than younger drivers to medical complications, states an IIHS report.

"A problem is that elderly drivers don't deal as well as younger ones with complex traffic situations," continues the IIHS report, "and multiple-vehicle crashes at intersections increase markedly with age. Elderly drivers are more likely to get traffic citations for failing to yield, turning improperly and running stop lights and red lights."

To address the issue, NHTSA is studying ways to help keep older drivers safely mobile. "We are attempting to see if older drivers can safely continue to drive - which is what they prefer - and, if they can't, try to transition them to other options. We are in the process of developing a national agenda at the state and local level," explains Eberhard.

Alternate routes

For now, however, what does a driver do when the time comes to give up the license? The problem is the lack of alternatives for getting around "either actually or in the mind of the older person," Eberhard says. "Most do not like public or assisted transportation."

When driving difficulties become apparent and you want to decrease your use of a vehicle, Eberhard suggests asking your spouse or friends and neighbors to drive you, or call a cab. Fares for taxis may seem high, but they compare favorably to the price of owning and operating a vehicle, which costs about $613 a month, according to American Automobile Association (AAA). You also may want to investigate whether local churches, senior centers or retirement centers offer shuttle services. Or contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about transportation services near you.

As baby boomers head toward retirement and the need to plan for the future becomes more apparent, the issue of older drivers will continue to receive attention. According to NHTSA’s Safe Mobility for Older People Notebook, the population over age 65 will grow by 60 percent in the next 20 years. During the decade from 2020 to 2030, the proportion of Americans over the age of 65 will increase to more than one in five.

Twenty states and the District of Columbia have renewal procedures designed to check whether older drivers continue to meet license requirements, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These procedures include accelerated renewal cycles, in-person renewals rather than those done electronically or by mail, and vision and road tests.

For example, California and Louisiana prohibit mail renewal for drivers 70 and older. In New Hampshire and Illinois, renewal applicants age 75 and older must take a road test. In North Carolina and Oregon, vision screenings are required every eight years for drivers 50 and older. Currently, the length of time between licensing renewals ranges from two to eight years, depending on the state.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Driving Safely while Aging Gracefully" is a free booklet produced by The USAA Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization, with assistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Maryland Research Consortium on the Older Driver. It provides information on how to assess your driving skills and stay safe on the road. If you are a member of USAA, order a copy through TouchLine® by calling 1-800-845-0291. Have your USAA number ready and request booklet number 535.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590; 1-888-3274236; www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: 1005 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201; (703)247-1500; www.highwaysafety.org.
AARP: 601 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20049; 1-800-424-3410; www.aarp.org.
U.S. Administration on Aging: Eldercare Locator, a nationwide directory assistance service to help older persons and caregivers locate local support resources, 1-800-677-1116; www.aoa.gov.

We express our gratitude to USAA Magazine, August/September 2000 edition for allowing us to reprint their article.