There are more older drivers on the roads now than ever. Two national transportation groups released a report on safety and mobility among older drivers. It identifies states with the highest number of older drivers and fatal crashes involving them.
Ben, Georgia ranks fifth in the number of drivers over 65 killed in crashes in 2010. A scary reality that many people think needs to be addressed. But there are things you can do to stay safe and keep your mobility as long as possible.
Some people might not consider an 85 year old woman to be a safe driver, but Virginia Freeman is an exception.
"I never was a speeder, I have never had a speeding ticket, and I have been blessed, no accidents," says Virginia Freeman, 85 year old Motorist.
Even she thinks there are many people on the roadways that shouldn't be.
"They should be taken away if people aren't able, like him, I wouldn't let him behind the wheel," says Freeman.
She thinks keeping your license as you age should be determined on an individual basis.
"Well you hear about people 100 years old and driving, some people are young at that age and other people are old at 50," says Freeman.
Keeping good health is one of the most important ways you can keep your mobility.
"We all remember the day we got our drivers license, it is such a fun time, and it is our key to freedom, it gives us the ability to go places," says Debbie Blanton, SOWEGA Council on Aging Assistant Director.
Vlanton says the older we get, the more medications we may be taking, which can cause problems when behind the wheel.
"When you are taking a lot of medicine, there are drug interactions, which can cause you to have blurred vision, be dizzy, not be thinking as well," says Blanton.
She says you can't let pride get in the way of staying safe.
"There comes a time when you have to realize that maybe your reflexes are not what they used to be and it comes to a time when you may have to realize maybe I don't need to drive because it is a hazard," says Cpt. Tom Jackson, Dougherty County Police.
Cpt. Jackson says elderly drivers often are some of the safest drivers.
"They have a tendency to drive slower, be more cautious, when the rest of us are flying by them," says Jackson.
As for Virginia Freeman, she says she will know when it is time to turn over her keys.
"I have had very good health, and I am mentally sound, so as I said I wouldn't be driving if I weren't," says Freeman.
The SOWEGA Council on Aging offers about 20 services to aging adults, including health fairs and defensive driving courses.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
Washington, D.C.- As the Baby Boom Generation begins to turn 65, the number of older Americans and their share of the overall population will swell dramatically.
But, according to a new report, although these older Americans will be more mobile and active than any previous generation, they will face a transportation system that is inadequate to offer the mobility and safety demanded by older Americans and the population in general.
Despite their efforts to modify their own driving, and the fact that overall fatalities have declined in recent years, older motorists are still involved in a disproportionately high share of traffic fatalities.
In 2010, there were 5,750 fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver 65 or older. And although drivers 65 and older account for eight percent of all miles driven, they comprise 17 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Georgia ranks fifth in the number of drivers over 65 killed in crashes in 2010 and ranks sixth in the number of fatalities where the crash involved a driver 65 or older. The state also ranks twelfth in the number of licensed drivers over the age of 65. Data for each state can be found in the report's appendix.
According to the TRIP report, the population of Americans 65 and older will grow by 60 percent by 2025, at which time one in every five drivers will be over the age of 65.
Because of good nutrition, improved health care, better education and higher incomes, new generations of older Americans will be more mobile, healthy and active for a longer portion of their lives than those just a few decades ago. For those 65 and older, 90 percent of travel takes place in a private vehicle.
"The fact that Georgia ranks so high in older driver crashes and fatalities is both sobering and motivating. Now, more than ever, Georgians need the kind of critically-important safety improvements the July 31St Transportation Referendum can provide," said Doug Callaway, Executive Director of the Georgia Transportation Alliance. "Simply put, the TSPLOST vote is about much more than transportation – it really means More Jobs, Safer Roads and Local Control."
"The growing ranks of older Americans will far outpace previous generations with their level of mobility and activity. Serving their needs will require a transportation system that includes safer roads, safer vehicles, safer drivers and improved choices," said Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP. "Congress can help not only older drivers, but all drivers by passing long-term federal surface transportation legislation now."
The TRIP report offers a set of recommendations to improve the mobility and safety of older Americans. Since many of these recommendations are designed to reduce the consequences of driving errors, they would make roads safer for all Americans. These recommendations include the following:
- SAFER ROADS: clearer, brighter and simpler signage with large lettering; brighter street markings, particularly at intersections; widening or adding left-turn lanes and extending the length of merge or exit lanes; adding rumble strips.
- SAFER DRIVERS: promoting education and training programs for older drivers; evaluating and monitoring "at risk" older motorists through appropriate licensing requirements.
- SAFER VEHICLES: improving vehicles to help withstand and avoid crashes.
- IMPROVED CHOICES: ensuring public transit routes, vehicles, facilities and stops are easily accessible and accommodating to older or disabled passengers; and expanding non-traditional approaches tailored to the needs of older adults.
The report, "Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans," was released today by TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research group based in Washington, D.C.
