AARP Car Safety & Defensive Driving Course Keeps Elderly Drivers Safe

Published: Fri 26 Mar 2010

Larry Roth

As Americans live healthier, longer lives, they are remaining independent much longer than did the elderly of past generations.

The result is an increasing number of older drivers behind the wheel on America's roads and highways. However, aging can interfere with the requisite skills for driving, and the consequences could be dangerous if not fatal.

In 2007, drivers 65 and older were involved in 9.7% of vehicular fatalities in Alabama according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During the same year, elderly drivers were involved in 13.3 percent of all collisions in the state. Nationwide, elderly drivers represented 8 percent of people injured in traffic accidents and 14 percent of people involved in traffic fatalities in 2007.

AARP Defensive Driving Course

Elderly drivers have a research-backed way to minimize their risk of an accident, however-completing a defensive driving class such as those offered by AARP.

"We want to let them know that you don't have to quit driving," explained Gail Hahn, an AARP district coordinator for Tuscaloosa and Shelby counties. "There are things you can do to compensate."

The AARP driving courses educate the elderly on the impact aging has on driving. The eight-hour course also stresses defensive driving and personal safety techniques. Courses are offered multiple times per year at churches and senior centers across Shelby and Jefferson counties. The course is also available online at http://www.aarp.org/drive.

The course teaches elderly drivers how to adjust to their changing abilities by discussing:

• The recommended way to maintain a safe following distance
• When a motorist is expected to give the right of way
• How to stay safe on today's crowded highways
• How to deal with aggressive drivers
• How to make a left-hand turn safely at an intersection

The Effects of Aging on Driving Skills

With highways more crowded than ever and driver distractions ubiquitous, the difficulties elderly drivers face "make for a very dangerous situation for people in this age bracket to drive," Hahn said.

After age 40, people experience significant vision changes. A lack of depth perception may cause a driver to mistake the speed and distance of an oncoming car.

Disorders like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts also make it challenging to see traffic lights and road signs clearly. Even for drivers with glasses, nighttime driving can be difficult because of the glare from other vehicles' headlights, Hahn said.

Hearing loss can be a challenge as well. Because it happens so gradually, most people do not realize that their hearing is going, Hahn explains, and may not realize that they don't hear horns honking or emergency sirens going off.

"Or a person might not hear a turn signal and they'll just drive with it on," she said.

When to Relinquish the Car Keys

Although defensive driving courses can help seniors stay on the road safely for longer, the day will eventually come when a senior citizen must relinquish his/her car keys.

"It's a big decision," Hahn comments. "If you live in the city, there are a few means of getting around. But if you live in the country, there are very few ways to get around."

Signs that a senior needs to stop driving include dings and dents on his/her car from hitting objects and receiving a significant number of traffic violations, Hahn explains.

"Birthdays don't dictate your driving ability," Hahn explained. "You can't go by age as far as saying whether you're a good driver."