3 Tips for Increasing Senior Driving Safety

With baby boomers now collecting social security, the number of senior citizens behind the wheel is expected to triple. Senior driving safety is becoming as important as never before, but how does an elderly drivers license holder stay safe?

Senior Safety on the Road: The Numbers

Senior driving safety statistics reveal that as of 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 34 crashes per 100,000 drivers aged 85 and up; only teens have a worse record. On the flipside, the safest group of drivers consists of those aged 65 to 74 with only 19 crashes per 100,000 drivers. That being said, remember to adjust these numbers for the overall mileage driven - seniors routinely drive shorter distances than teens or other age groups - and the statistics shift again, this time not in the senior drivers' favor.

Senior Driving Safety for the More Mature Drivers License Holder

Is your vision up to par?

Does your state still believe that you are a sufficiently safe motorist to possess a driver's license? If you have eyesight issues, such as the use of bioptic telescopes, your state may not want you on the road anymore. Moreover, there are minimum requirements for visual fields.

For example, in California your eyesight must be 20/40 for a non-restricted license but better than 20/200 for any kind of license. You may use bioptic telescopes for driving but not to meet the vision standard. On the upside, there is no visual field requirement. Find out your state's requirements by visiting the Senior Drivers' vision regulation site.

Senior safety features

Senior citizens may be surprised to learn about the many automotive features that make driving a lot safer. AAA reports that there are adjustable pedals for easier reach, extendable visors for glare protection, steering wheel thickeners for easier gripping and dual stage airbags that will not harm frailer drivers. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with all the little odds and ends that make driving more comfortable and safer; this is especially true for widows, who are driving their husbands' cars.

Self-evaluate your need for driver training against the backdrop of unsafe practices

When was the last time you studied your driver training manual? You most likely remember the time when you were a teen and worked hard to make it past your initial permit. You may even have gone through it to avoid adding points to your driver's license.

Even so, senior citizens may be stunned by what they might have forgotten that leads to events discussed in the Driver 55 online quiz. Remember: individual examples might not add up to much, but the sheer volume can open your eyes to serious problems with your driving. Combine this with the "Can I still drive safely in spite of my age?" quiz, and you may be sobered by the results. After all, the most important aspect of senior driving safety is careful self-evaluation.

Sources
http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/older-drivers-elderly-driving-seniors-at-the-wheel.html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/TurnThecornerWeb/pages/longDesc.htm#crinvov
http://lpp.seniordrivers.org/lpp/index.cfm?selection=visionreqs
http://www.aaaexchange.com/Main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=38&ContentID=363&zip=90000
http://lpp.seniordrivers.org/driving/driving.cfm?button=quiz&quiz=2
http://agenet.agenet.com/Category_Pages/document_display.asp?Id=400