SeniorDrivers.org

203224 Resource 177904 191501 183236 1210119458659 1210136227838 Controlled Safe Driving For Seniors

Why in-person driver's license renewal might be a good idea

More than 40,000 Americans die each year in motor vehicle crashes. Many of the drivers involved in these crashes are senior citizens. Statistics show that motor vehicle fatality rates among senior drivers are on the rise, particularly for those drivers who are 85 or older.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Drivers aged 65 and older …are expected to account for as much as 25 percent of total driver fatalities in 2030, compared to 14 percent currently." That leaves us with a public health issue: As baby boomers age and more seniors get behind the wheel, how can we prevent rising fatalities? Many states have looked for the answer in stricter license laws for elderly individuals. Among them: frequency of license renewal, whether license renewal must be in-person, and whether vision and road tests should be required. Of these measures, research shows that only one offers a definitive preventive impact on senior fatalities: in-person renewal of motor vehicle licenses. The positive impact primarily affects those over 85. Why should auto fatalities among very elderly drivers decline with in-person renewals? There are a variety of reasons, including the fact that in-person renewals tend to deter some seniors from seeking to renew. They tend to impose a limit on themselves when faced with this step. Focusing on motor vehicle safety among seniors makes good sense. First, the elderly population is rapidly growing. Second, the elderly are the most vulnerable - they're more likely to die from crash injuries. And third, solutions are relatively simple and not unduly harsh, such as in-person license renewal requirements for the oldest segment of the senior population.  To learn more about various studies on this topic, and other interesting details about senior drivers, be sure to watch this week’s video, embedded with this blog post, or read the full transcript of the program, below. Then tell me about your own personal experiences with seniors behind the wheel. Are you a senior driver, or do you know of one? Does in-person renewal make sense to you? Your comments are always appreciated! 9 application/xml false aging Mike Magee SeniorDrivers.org This website from the Foundation for Traffic Safety offers safe driving tips and other valuable information for older drivers http://www.seniordrivers.org/home/ Fatality Analysis The National Highway Safety Administration offers facts and figures on highway fatalities http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov. Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 plarson 69.137.251.28 false true false false true 179654 false false true false false false true 203277 Resource 179654 173239 183236 1210181290853 1210261434176 Controlled Why in-person driver's license renewal might be a good idea

This is filled with inaccuracies!

Only one study shows effectivenss of in-person renewals, and only for those over age 85. Numerous studies show no benefit from in-person renewals. Elders die more often in crashes due to frailty issues, not because they're bad drivers. In-person renewals will have no effect, but will cost the states millions of dollars to implement! 10 application/xml false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; InfoPath.1; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 159.178.38.238 false true false false true 203368 Resource 179654 173239 183236 1210274924669 1210351645588 Controlled Limited Access Roads

How could it be done?

Let's face it. There are a lot of very aggressive drivers out there. They love to race to the stop sign and slam on their brakes, so you're not sure they're even going to stop or those that pass very recklessly on a 2 lane road. We've all seen them. Perhaps you know one or are one!They're a hazard to even the best of drivers, let alone someone elderly with slower reaction time.  I have been thinking about it and wondered if there was any way we could limit access to some roads, so that elderly and new or inexperienced drivers could use them without fear for their lives. Possibly slower speed limits... Others could still use them, but there would be restricted speeds or something... Has anyone else ever examined something like that. I have a 21 yr. that still isn't driving, not for fear of her driving, but fear of all the crazy drivers out there. One hit us just last year. My first accident in 30+ yrs. He was going about 50 in a 35 zone and tried to race in a left turn in front of us and wiped out our front end... 10 application/xml false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 204.22.6.109 false true false false true 177904 blog blogsite/HealthCommentary/web