Getting Older

Getting older does not necessarily mean a person's driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road. NHTSA offers free materials to help you learn more about how to recognize and discuss changes in your older loved one's driving.

Traffic Safety Fact - In 2008, older people accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. Most traffic fatalities involving older drivers in occurred during the daytime (80%), occurred on weekdays (72%), and involved other vehicles (69%).

Resources for People Around Older Drivers 

 

• Adapting Motor Vehicles for Older Drivers 
  Evaluate your needs, making sure the vehicle "fits" you properly, choosing appropriatefeatures, installing and knowing how to use adaptive devices, practicing good vehicle maintenance.
• How to Understand and Influence Older Drivers
  Talking with an older person about their driving is often difficult. Most of us delay that talk until the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous. At that point, conversations can be tense and awkward for everyone involved. But there are things you can say and do to make those conversations more productive and less tense.
• Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully
  How do you assess whether physical changes are affecting your driving skills?