Report: Seniors Generally Safe Drivers, Open to Scrutiny

It appears that seniors want tougher driving laws, including everything from bans on the use of wireless devices to ignition interlocks for DUI offenders. And the oldest drivers are also less likely than their younger “senior” counterparts to use a cell phone on the road, according to the new study. 

What may surprise some, however, is that an overwhelming majority of seniors favor greater scrutiny in the license-renewal process for themselves and their peers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s latest report on aging Americans.

More than seven of 10 drivers age 65 and older favor policies that require drivers age 75 and older to renew their license in person and support requirements that seniors pass a medical screening to remain licensed.

The AAA Foundation’s report Older American Drivers and Traffic Safety Culture also found:

• Nearly 80 percent of drivers over age 75 favor medical screenings for drivers ages 75 and older    
• Nearly 90 percent of older drivers (65 and older) reported no crashes in the last two years 
• Similarly, 90 percent of older drivers reported no moving violations   
• 65 percent of drivers age 75 and older reported never using a cell phone while driving compared to only 48 percent of the younger “older” drivers (those age 65-69) who never use a phone when behind the wheel

“Even though public perception tends to unfairly characterize seniors as a menace on the road, these findings indicate that older Americans tend to support policies to keep themselves safer behind the wheel, making them key allies in their mission to keep driving smarter and longer,” says Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

If seniors need to eventually give up driving, there are options. Contact your Area Agency on Aging to learn about driving services available in your community.

To learn more about the report, visit https://www.aaafoundation.org/older-american-drivers-and-traffic-safety-culture-longroad-study