Should we put the brakes on aging drivers?

Recently, news reports of aging drivers involved in auto accidents have increased. For years many lawmakers, senior advocates, seniors themselves, and their children have debated the subject of mandatory re-testing for aging drivers. With longer life expectancies, aging Boomers, and societal shifts from small towns to sprawling cities, driving plays an increasingly important and necessary role for the aging population.

The Federal Highway Administration reports that in 2007 there were more than 20 million licensed drivers 70 and older in the United States. Statistics also show that the total annual miles older drivers traveled climbed 29 percent from 1995 to 2001. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2008, older people accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities.

However, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, though fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75 and increase again markedly after age 80, this is largely due to increased susceptibility to injury, particularly chest injuries, and medical complications among older drivers rather than an increased tendency to get into crashes. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a report in June 2010 that shows senior drivers aren’t causing more crashes than they used to. Nor are they dying more often in crashes, even though they hold onto their licenses longer. In fact, the rate of fatal crashes per licensed driver 70 and older declined from 1997 to 2008.

There is no question that aging affects elderly drivers in a number of ways. There are physical reaction times, interplay of medications, vision and hearing issues, and strength and muscle concerns. However, age alone is not a good reason to revoke someone’s license.

While physical and cognitive abilities play into the situation, there are often emotional and relational issues of losing freedom or children becoming caregivers/rule-setters for parents involved. There are numerous resources available to both older drivers and their caregivers to help determine when driving is an unsafe activity:

• The Aging Parents and Elder Care site provides a checklist to help caregivers determine the safety of an aging drivers.
  
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Association provides a self-assessment for aging drivers, as well as information on how to adapt vehicles for older drivers, and information on how to talk with a loved one when you believe their driving has become dangerous.
• AARP provides some of the same, as well as driver safety information and courses for the aging.
• University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community alumna Suzie Davidson published "Keep the Keys: A Practical Handbook for Older Drivers."
  

Resources aside, the conversation can often be awkward and tense.

So, to re-test or not to re-test seems to be the question. Currently only Illinois and New Hampshire require road tests for drivers age 75 and older. Florida, California, and Washington D.C. require a vision test for aging drivers. Required testing takes the pressure off caregivers as the “bad guys,” but may place additional caregiving strain if or when older drivers don’t pass those tests. Some advocate for re-testing or vision tests only if the driving record reflects the need.

Where do you stand? What are your experiences? Have any great advice for those facing this issue? We would love to hear from you.


Kristin Huff
Senior Project Director