Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week Posted By:
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December 2-6, 2019 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. This week aims to promote public understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation in older adults, with the goal of ensuring that they can remain active in the community by being able to shop, work, or volunteer without the worry of transportation accessibility being a barrier to their activities.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers 70 years of age or older have as high a fatality rate in car crashes as drivers under 24 years of age due to their frailty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends every state develop and implement a comprehensive older driver safety program to reduce aging road user crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries. Do you know if your state has one?

As a healthcare provider, if you hear your older patients say they have multiple dents and scrapes on the driver's side of their vehicle, have hit a mailbox or another object, become confused while driving, or forgotten their way home: these are warning signs. These should be further investigated and you should begin a conversation with them about their driving habits. Other good times to initiate this conversation are before they are having surgery, if they mention having trouble driving at night, or if they have lost a partner and are afraid of driving alone. Have a script ready if you hear some of the above occurrences. Here are some tips:

  • Use "I" instead of "You" - "I am concerned about your driving."
  • Focus on the driver's skills, not their age
  • Assure them the goal is to maintain their independence while staying safe
  • Explore what community transportation options are available in your area

Did you know that 90% of the information needed to stay safe on the road comes from your vision? This is one of the most critical losses for drivers of all ages. In addition, memory, strength, flexibility, and quick reaction time also decrease with age, but this varies from person to person. According to the NHTSA, people who keep track of changes in their eyesight, physical fitness, and reflexes may be able to adjust their driving habits so they stay safe on the road.

One event that helps older adults maintain comfort and safety in their vehicle is the CarFit. This event is free of charge and was developed in collaboration with the American Society for Aging, AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. During a CarFit event, volunteers check for proper seat positioning (including seat belt, head restraint, and airbag position), properly adjusted mirrors to reduce blind spots, and the driver's ability to easily operate vehicle controls and ignition system.

To find an event in your area to recommend to patients, go to www.car-fit.org/carfit/RegisterCarFit.

Another good resource is the Clinician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers.

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