Senior Drivers
http://www.iinc.org/articles/311/1/Senior-Drivers/Page1.html
Published on 06/12/2009
California is a state built around the car culture, relying on cars to build businesses, travel, shop and provide a mobile independence. But there comes a time when knowledge and experience behind the wheel is offset by an inevitable decline in physical ability.
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California is a state built around the car culture, relying on cars to build businesses, travel, shop and provide a mobile independence. But there comes a time when knowledge and experience behind the wheel is offset by an inevitable decline in physical ability.
FACTS OF AGING
Statistically, senior drivers are safer than their teen counterparts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that drivers age 70 or older driver fewer miles than younger drivers and account for less than 1 percent of automotive fatalities. However, they also face increased risks due to several physical factors related to aging. These risks include:
• Reduced vision. Depth perception and judging the speed of oncoming traffic can often be impacted by gradual vision loss.
• Hearing loss. Hearing typically diminishes over time and older drivers may not recognize the loss. Loss of good hearing may cause a driver to miss honking or sirens on emergency vehicles.
• Reduced reaction time. As people age, reaction times and reflexes slow causing an increase in response times.
• Medications. Medications -- either taken alone or with other medications -- can significantly hamper a drivers’ ability and can increase driving risks.
• Dementia. This affliction can hamper a person’s ability to drive because of its unpredictability and the likelihood that it will cause the driver to overestimate their ability and minimize the complexity.
LOOKING FOR THE SIGNS
It may feel like “snooping,” but keeping a wary eye on a senior driver will not only benefit that driver, but other drivers as well. Knowing the signs to look for will help in evaluating a motorists’ fitness to continue to drive.
Telltale Signs of Reduced Driving Skills
• Abrupt lane changes, heavy braking or rapid accelerating.
• Numerous “close calls” with other vehicles or missing stop signs or lights.
• Driving too fast or too slow.
• Tailgating.
• Trouble reading road signs.
• Forgetting where they are or where they are going.
• Easily angered by other drivers actions on the road or not aware of others frustrations.
• Trouble focusing on driving.
• Limited flexibility, in particular looking over the shoulder.
What to Look For When Not Behind the Wheel
• Unusual changes in character such as increased stubbornness, aggressive behavior and forgetfulness.
• Diminished attention span.
• Apparent reduced vision and hearing.
• Easily fatigued.
• Dents and scratches on the car they drive.
SELF EVALUATION FOR OLDER DRIVERS
Some drivers will realize that they are aging and things “just aren’t what they used to be.” Typically these drivers will make accommodations in an effort to continue driving safely. Some, on the other hand, may not recognize that their driving is suffering. Allowing them time to recognize their situation on their own could be helpful in making corrections now, and easing them out of the driver seat if need be later. Resources are available on the Internet that older drivers could use to help them evaluate their own driving. Such resources include:
• The American Association of Retired People
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
DRIVING ADJUSTMENTS
After the evaluation, it may be just a matter of some simple steps a senior driver can make to accommodate their increasing age and decreasing physical condition. These include:
• Adjusting the seat. Simply moving the seat upward and forward can give an older driver a better view when looking down the road and put the foot pedals and steering wheel in a better position.
• Stay on well-lighted streets if driving at night.
• Reduce the amount of driving at night, during rush hour and on freeways.
• Pay greater attention to driving and less attention to passengers or other distractions.
• Increase driving distance to accommodate slower reflexes to sudden changes in the speed of traffic.
• Take a driving course for senior drivers. Not only does this provide information on being a better driver, but can result in an auto insurance discount.
DRIVING EVALUATION TESTS
Test Your Driving IQ
Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully
Drivers 55 Plus: Self-rating Form
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
National Traffic Highway Safety Administration
American Association of Retired People
California is a state built around the car culture, relying on cars to build businesses, travel, shop and provide a mobile independence. But there comes a time when knowledge and experience behind the wheel is offset by an inevitable decline in physical ability.Senior Drivers
Related ArticlesNine Ways To Reduce Your Auto Insurance Costs
How To Shop for a Safe Car
California is a state built around the car culture, relying on cars to build businesses, travel, shop and provide a mobile independence. But there comes a time when knowledge and experience behind the wheel is offset by an inevitable decline in physical ability.
FACTS OF AGING
Statistically, senior drivers are safer than their teen counterparts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that drivers age 70 or older driver fewer miles than younger drivers and account for less than 1 percent of automotive fatalities. However, they also face increased risks due to several physical factors related to aging. These risks include:
• Reduced vision. Depth perception and judging the speed of oncoming traffic can often be impacted by gradual vision loss.
• Hearing loss. Hearing typically diminishes over time and older drivers may not recognize the loss. Loss of good hearing may cause a driver to miss honking or sirens on emergency vehicles.
• Reduced reaction time. As people age, reaction times and reflexes slow causing an increase in response times.
• Medications. Medications -- either taken alone or with other medications -- can significantly hamper a drivers’ ability and can increase driving risks.
• Dementia. This affliction can hamper a person’s ability to drive because of its unpredictability and the likelihood that it will cause the driver to overestimate their ability and minimize the complexity.
LOOKING FOR THE SIGNS
It may feel like “snooping,” but keeping a wary eye on a senior driver will not only benefit that driver, but other drivers as well. Knowing the signs to look for will help in evaluating a motorists’ fitness to continue to drive.
Telltale Signs of Reduced Driving Skills
• Abrupt lane changes, heavy braking or rapid accelerating.
• Numerous “close calls” with other vehicles or missing stop signs or lights.
• Driving too fast or too slow.
• Tailgating.
• Trouble reading road signs.
• Forgetting where they are or where they are going.
• Easily angered by other drivers actions on the road or not aware of others frustrations.
• Trouble focusing on driving.
• Limited flexibility, in particular looking over the shoulder.
What to Look For When Not Behind the Wheel
• Unusual changes in character such as increased stubbornness, aggressive behavior and forgetfulness.
• Diminished attention span.
• Apparent reduced vision and hearing.
• Easily fatigued.
• Dents and scratches on the car they drive.
SELF EVALUATION FOR OLDER DRIVERS
Some drivers will realize that they are aging and things “just aren’t what they used to be.” Typically these drivers will make accommodations in an effort to continue driving safely. Some, on the other hand, may not recognize that their driving is suffering. Allowing them time to recognize their situation on their own could be helpful in making corrections now, and easing them out of the driver seat if need be later. Resources are available on the Internet that older drivers could use to help them evaluate their own driving. Such resources include:
• The American Association of Retired People
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
DRIVING ADJUSTMENTS
After the evaluation, it may be just a matter of some simple steps a senior driver can make to accommodate their increasing age and decreasing physical condition. These include:
• Adjusting the seat. Simply moving the seat upward and forward can give an older driver a better view when looking down the road and put the foot pedals and steering wheel in a better position.
• Stay on well-lighted streets if driving at night.
• Reduce the amount of driving at night, during rush hour and on freeways.
• Pay greater attention to driving and less attention to passengers or other distractions.
• Increase driving distance to accommodate slower reflexes to sudden changes in the speed of traffic.
• Take a driving course for senior drivers. Not only does this provide information on being a better driver, but can result in an auto insurance discount.
DRIVING EVALUATION TESTS
Test Your Driving IQ
Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully
Drivers 55 Plus: Self-rating Form
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
National Traffic Highway Safety Administration
American Association of Retired People