Senior Citizen Driver Safety

Everyone ages differently, so there is no arbitrary cutoff as to when someone should stop driving. However, older adults are more likely to receive traffic citations and get into accidents than younger drivers. In fact, fatal crash rates rise sharply after a driver has reached the age of 70. What causes this increase? As we age, factors such as decreased vision, impaired hearing, or slowed motor reflexes may become a problem.

As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more elderly drivers are out on America’s roadways. Senior citizens (people over age 65) can be very good drivers, but as their vision, hearing and motor skills worsen, the incidence of motor vehicle accidents increases. In 2012, there were 5,560 people 65 and older killed and 214,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These elderly individuals comprised 17 percent of all traffic deaths and 9 percent of traffic injuries in 2012.

There are several ways to prevent crashes involving older drivers. One way is to adapt motor vehicles for the needs of senior drivers. As technology advances, it becomes more practical for seniors to drive safely and remain independent. Some age related driving difficulties are easily remedied – such as a swiveling driver seat. Others, such as hand controls for physically handicapped drivers take some training, but can be highly effective. Some of these costs can be covered by insurance or by nonprofit organizations. Evaluating individual driver needs and working with professionals to choose appropriate adaptation devices can enable elderly drivers to maintain their driving freedom without endangering themselves or others on the road.

It is also sometimes necessary to understand and influence older drivers, whether they be family members, friends, or neighbors. Sometimes this could just be checking in to make sure that the older person is properly maintaining their vehicle so that it runs with optimum performance. If you are approaching senior status, or have elderly family members, try to be as objective as possible and gather information. In many cases, having an honest conversation with a medical professional can help a family or elderly driver decide their future driving plans. Having conversations with an older driver may be awkward for you or embarrassing for them, but it is imperative to ensure the safety of all people sharing the road.

Remember, a person’s driving performance is what determines their fitness to drive. Although age can be a good reason to begin watching for signs of dangerous driving, it is not a firm or foolproof indicator. An 80-year-old driver may perform much better than a 23-year-old driver. Safety should be the number one priority of all drivers, so it is best to work with the elderly driver, his or her family, and possibly medical professionals to determine the best steps for his or her future.

When should a senior citizen stop driving?

Because of the number of accidents that involve seniors on the road, some states are trying to implement regulations that would revoke driving privileges from senior citizens or at least require them to take special tests after they reach a certain age. Senior rights organizations argue that such regulations are discriminatory. States that already have such regulations in place are Florida, Georgia and Illinois. Those three states require their older citizens to take eye exams after they reach a certain age. Illinois senior drivers who are older than 87 years old must renew their licenses every year. Certain signs and signals indicate to a senior or elderly driver that the time to stop driving may have approached.

Common signs that a senior should stop driving are:

Talking with a loved one about their driving concerns

Driver safety can often be a sensitive issue for older drivers. A driver’s license signifies more than the ability to drive a car; it is a symbol of freedom and self-sufficiency. Understandably, driving is not a privilege that anyone wants to relinquish willingly. Still, safety must come first.

Some older drivers may be aware of their faltering ability but still be reluctant to give up driving completely. Another person’s concerns may force the senior driver to act. They may even feel relieved to have someone else help make the decision to stop driving. Some seniors may forget that they aren’t supposed to drive. If that is the case, it is even more important to remove the car or the keys to make it impossible to drive. If you find yourself in the position of talking to an older friend or family member about their driving, remember the following:

• Be respectful. For many seniors, driving is an integral part of independence. Many older adults have fond memories of getting a driver’s license. At the same time, don’t be intimidated or back down if you have a true concern.
• Give specific examples. It’s easier to tune out generalizations like “You just can’t drive safely anymore.” Outline concerns that you have noticed, such as “You have a harder time turning your head than you used to,” or “You braked suddenly at stop signs three times the last time we drove.”
• Find strength in numbers. If more than one family member or close friend has noticed, it’s less likely to be taken as nagging. A loved one may also listen to a more impartial party, such as a doctor or driving specialist.
• Help find alternatives. The person may be so used to driving that they have never considered alternatives. You can offer concrete help, such as researching transportation options or offering rides when possible. If your family member is reluctant to ask for help, it can lead to isolation and depression.
• Understand the difficulty of the transition. Your loved one may experience a profound sense of loss having given up driving. Don’t dismiss their feelings but try to help with the transition as much as possible. If it is safe, try slowly transitioning the senior out of driving to give them time to adjust.
  
  

Sources:
Senior Citizens on the Road
Aging and Driving Safety Tips

CarFit General Information

CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. The CarFit program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase their mobility in the community.

The Importance of CarFit

Older drivers are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies. (Source: NHTSA)

Driver safety programs improve adult driver safety by addressing cognitive abilities and skills, however, older drivers can also improve their safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them. A proper fit in one's car can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others.

What to Expect at a CarFit Session

At a CarFit event, a team of trained technicians and/or health professionals work with each participant to ensure they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety. A CarFit check takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. CarFit Technicians are instrumental to a successful CarFit event. CarFit Technicians assist senior driver participants with check-in, check-up and check-out at the events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CarFit?

CarFit is a community-based educational program that promotes continued safe driving and mobility among older drivers by focusing attention on safety, comfort and fit. CarFit was created in 2006 in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association), AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

What are the Objectives of the CarFit program?

The program is designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently fit their personal vehicle, to highlight actions they can take to improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility. A proper fit in one's personal vehicle can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others.

In What Ways Can CarFit Improve Road Safety?

Three quick examples underscore the importance of road safety to the CarFit program, which reviews twelve key areas of the driver's fit to the personal vehicle.

• Example one: Knowing how to properly adjust one's mirrors can greatly minimize blind spots for drivers who may wish to change lanes.
• Example two: Good foot positioning on the gas and brake pedals is important. If the driver is reaching with his or her toes to press on the pedals, it can cause fatigue in one's leg and slowed reaction times.
• Example three: Drivers run a risk of serious injury if they are sitting closer than 10 inches to the steering wheel.

Is CarFit effective?

CarFit was pilot tested in 10 cities in the spring of 2005 with more than 300 older driver participants. Based on findings from the CarFit checklists completed at the events and follow-up surveys of participants, the program appears to be highly effective on multiple fronts. Some of the results show:

• over one-third (37%) had at least one critical safety issue needing addressed.
• one in ten (10%) were seated too close to the steering wheel.
• approximately 20% did not have a line of sight at least 3" over the steering wheel.

In addition, the vast majority of those responding to the survey indicated that as a result of having gone through the CarFit event, they made a change to improve the fit of their vehicle, their use of safety features in their vehicle and/or their willingness to discuss their driving with family and/or health care providers.

How can I become involved in CarFit?

By becoming an Event Coordinator, you will be trained to host CarFit events following proper programmatic procedures. Event Coordinators train CarFit technicians, secure dates and locations for CarFit events, participate in and monitor CarFit events and communicate with the national organizations, AAA, AARP and AOTA. Event Coordinators candidates must have previous experience working as a Technician and attend a training conducted by a CarFit Instructor. Event Coordinators are required to be on site supervising events they have scheduled.

Find an Event Coordinator Training in your area.

By becoming a CarFit Technician, you will be able to participate in CarFit events hosted by a CarFit Event Coordinator. A half-day training teaches you the three parts of each CarFit event: Check-in, Check-up and Check-out.

Find a CarFit Technician Training in your area.

How Can Drivers Sign Up for a CarFit Checkup?

Individuals wishing to take part in a CarFit Checkup should click here and look at the calendar of upcoming events. If there are no events listed near you, please check back to this site for new postings by our volunteers. For additional questions, contact info@car-fit.org.

Where can I get pedal extensions or other adaptive equipment?

Modifications that interface with a moving vehicle can pose risk to the driver's safety, as well as exposing the person making the recommendation to risks of liability. Pedal extenders, although they may seem simple actually are a modification that directly impacts the driver's ability to safely and consistently control the vehicle both to accelerate and to stop! Adaptive equipment recommendations should be made with the same caution as advising someone to seek medication. There are extenders that could help you reach the pedals or there are hand controls available that allow you to continue to drive even if your feet can no longer control the pedals. We suggest that a driver seek the expert guidance of a driving rehabilitation specialist trained in assessing the individual's need for equipment and the identification of the equipment that fits both the person and their vehicle.

You can locate a driving rehabilitation specialist by using the specialists directory located at www.aota.org/olderdriver (see specialists directory) or www.aded.net (see CDRS directory). Specialized programs are available in every state, but not necessarily in your community.