Dec. 2-6, 2024, marks Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. As the population of older adults (65 and up) continues to grow, promoting safe driving practices becomes increasingly important.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17% of licensed drivers in 2022 fell into the older adult category, totaling over 57.8 million people. In 2022, the number of traffic deaths — 8,572 — involving a driver 65 and older was the highest since at least 1975. This is reflected in crash data, where older drivers accounted for 20% of all traffic fatalities in 2022.
If you’re an older driver:
Decisions about your driving ability should never be based on age alone. However, vision changes, physical fitness and reflexes may cause safety concerns. By accurately assessing age-related changes, you can adjust your driving habits to remain safe on the road.
If you have noticed any of these changes, Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully is a resource to help you recognize warning signs and gain useful tips on what you can do to remain a safe driver.
If you’re a caregiver or friend:
Initiating conversations about an older adult’s driving abilities can be challenging, but they are crucial for safety, given the complexities of driving. Here are three steps to help trusted friends and family members prepare for these conversations and ensure continued safety for older drivers:
1. Gather Information: Observe driving habits and changes in daily activities that might impact driving ability. Note their ability to perform routine tasks like cooking or yard work, as your ability to perform these tasks declines, it can indicate potential driving issues.
Consider asking these questions:
- Do you get lost on familiar routes?
- Have you noticed new dents or scratches on your vehicle?
- Have you received recent driving citations?
- Have you experienced near misses or crashes recently?
- Has a doctor advised you to stop driving?
- Do traffic signals or other drivers overwhelm you while driving?
- Have you discussed medication side effects with your doctor?
2. Develop a Plan: This plan should address:
- Conveying your concerns to the driver.
- Identifying ways to avoid difficult driving situations.
- Exploring alternative transportation options.
3. Follow Through: Put the plan into action and offer ongoing support.
For more information, visit NHTSA.gov/OlderDrivers.
