The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University

National Program on Women & Aging
 

Women & Aging Letter
Excerpt, June 1998

Driving Safely:  Does Age Matter?
Volume 3, Number 1

 
Clearly, yes. Age has both positive and negative effects.

Research has shown that people tend to drive better as they ageóup to a certain point. The facts show that younger drivers (those between ages 16 and 25) receive more citations, are more likely to have their driving privilege suspended, and are responsible for more accidents than drivers in any other age group.

Experts have attributed the problems of young drivers primarily to two factors:

   inexperience

   aggressive behavior

As people get older, most have fewer citations. They are also much less likely to be suspended and are less likely to be responsible for an accident. The facts show: maturity and additional years of driving experience make a big positive difference.

Also, as we get older we often "self-regulate" our driving. Older drivers tend to avoid rush hour traffic, poor weather conditions, and night driving. Additionally, once we enter retirement, our need to drive often dropsóreducing on-road exposure time and lessening the likelihood of an accident.

But there is another side of the statistics. It is true that  the actual number of accidents for elder drivers is low. But, in fact, for drivers over age 75 the proportion having accidents rises dramatically. In fact, statistics show it is is comparable to that of young drivers.

Statistics also show that older drivers are more likely than either middle age or younger drivers to be in two-vehicle accidents. And they are more often involved in side impact accidents, often the result of an illegal left turn.

What's the explanation for these scary statistics?

Functional Impairments

Clinical studies show that vision, hearing, motor-reaction time, and certain cognitive abilities may decline with age. Moreover, people are more prone to disease in their elder years.

Not surprisingly, studies show that poor driving is directly related to these impairments, especially a decline in visual acuity or reaction times.

Research on the combined effects of visual and cognitive abilities reveals that many older drivers tend to have difficulty processing "hazard cues" entering their field of vision.

Of course, not all elders experience these impairments. Those who do experience more than one impairment are unlikely to experience them simultaneously. Furthermore, the degree to which the impairments are experienced varies greatly among individuals.
 

What You Can Do

Public safety is not just a concern of government agencies. Naturally, it is also a concern of the individual. Small steps can help anyone become a safer driver.
 

• Have your eyes tested periodically. Your visual acuity and visual field tend to decrease as you age.
• Make sure your windshield is clean and your wipers effective. You can help yourself by ensuring an unobstructed view.
• Clean the lenses of your headlights periodically. Dirty lenses can decrease illumination dramatically. Not only will you see better at night, but other drivers will see you better.
• Avoid glare. As people age, their ability to recover from glare decreases. If you must drive at night, give yourself enough time for your eyes to adjust to decreased light. If you can, avoid left lane driving. When confronting oncoming traffic, try not to look directly at it. Also, make sure you have and carry a good pair of sun glasses for day glare.
• Avoid inclement weather. Take advantage of any opportunity you might have of not driving in a storm. If you must drive in the rain or snow, use your headlights.
• Reduce distractions. Keep radios and air conditioning or heater blowers low to reduce noise. If traveling with a companion, partner-up by having him/her help look for signs and/or for other traffic and obstructions as you are backing or turning.

 
Courses for Older Drivers

55 Alive/Mature Driving is a course offered by the American Association of Retired Persons to all motorists age 50 and older.  The eight-hour classroom refresher is the largest nationwide, comprehensive curriculum designed especially for the older motorist.  The course costs only $8. You learn how aging affects driving, are taught compensating techniques, are provided with a thorough review of the rules of the road, and are taught defensive driving practices. For more information about the program call 800-424-3410.

Safe Driving for Mature Operators is a course offered in some states by the American Automobile Association. Call your local AAA club for information on availability and cost.

Coaching the Mature Driver is a course developed by the US National Safety Council. For a training site and cost, call 800-621-7619.
 

We thank Dr. Steven Evans, Assistant Director, Medical Affairs, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, for his assistance in producing this month's Letter.

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This is an excerpt only

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