Driver Wellness
As we age, we experience a steady decline in certain skills that are important
for safe driving. Beginning at around age 55, there is a gradual decrease in our
ability to process information, to remember, and to make judgments in traffic
situations such as determining the distance and approach of oncoming traffic.
While older drivers are involved in fewer total crashes than other age
groups, there are more crashes compared to the number of miles driven. This also
applies to injuries, where the number of injuries is less, but the severity is
dramatically higher.
Aging affects driving in the following ways:
|
Change |
Description |
Effect on Driving |
|
Vision |
Near and far vision, depth perception, visual
attention, peripheral vision, light and dark
sensitivity, and the affect of glare |
Ability to see other vehicles, traffic signals,
signs, lane markings, road conditions, and
pedestrians
Ability to see
equipment and controls on own vehicle |
|
Cognition |
Memory, attention, recognition, speed of
decisions, and judgment |
Ability to recognize traffic conditions and
locations/ destinations, process the
information, and make appropriate decisions
Ability to
recognize and understand operation of own
vehicle |
|
Physical Function |
Strength, flexibility, reaction time |
Ability to perform physical movement to control
own vehicle |
Vision
Vision is the primary sense used in driving. Visual declines represent the
most significant losses for older drivers who need more light to distinguish
features along the roadway and must be closer to read sign and follow other
traffic cues. Older eyes also need more time to recover from the glare of bright
headlights at night.
All drivers who are 80 years of age or older and who are in the process of
renewing their driver license are required to pass a vision test. This test may
be administered at a driver license office at no cost to you. Read more about
Florida Mature Vision Test Requirements on the Florida GrandDriver web site:
http://www.floridagranddriver.com/vision.cfm
Cognition
Cognition involves perception, attention, learning, memory, thought, visual
processing, reading and problem solving. Driving is a complex activity that
requires a number of these skills. Drivers must remember how to operate their
vehicle, what the signs and signals mean, and to know their destination and how
to get there all of which occurs while processing other information.
Motor Function
Aging can affect muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion
- skills that are needed in safe driving. NHTSA's "Physician's Guide to
Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers" includes information on vision,
cognition and motor function and can be accessed at this link:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/OlderDriversBook/index.html
Memory
The MindAlert resource center is a searchable database on mental fitness and
aging. It offers articles on key issues, bibliographic listings and reviews of
other materials, links to websites and information about mental fitness programs
throughout North America. This clearinghouse of materials will be useful to both
consumers (older adults and family members) and professionals as they seek the
latest information and practice on maintaining and improving cognitive capacity
in the later years of life. Access these resources at this link:
http://www.asaging.org/asav2/mindalert/index.cfm
Dementia
According to NHTSA, dementia affects a number of critical abilities needed
for safe driving including perception and visual processing, an ability to
maintain attention and respond to multiple stimuli, an ability to make correct
decisions, and to act appropriately in difficult traffic situations. Individuals
in the early stage of the disease may be able to operate a vehicle under normal
circumstances, but have difficulty with changing circumstances, and may often
become lost. NHTSA's brochure: Alzheimer's and Driving can be accessed at this
link:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/alzheimers/index.html
The American Society on Aging's web seminar series titled "Promoting Safety and
Independence through Older Driver Wellness" can be accessed at this link:
http://www.asaging.org/webseminars/websem.cfm?EventID=11710
Exercise is important at any age but particularly for seniors who need
exercise to maintain strength and flexibility - abilities that contribute to
safe driving. Exercise can also help reduce arthritis pain, anxiety, and
depression.
Find a provider of age-friendly fitness and wellness near you by accessing
this link:
http://www.icaa.cc/FacilityLocator/facilitylocator.asp
The National Institute on Aging, Exercise and Physical Activity: Getting Fit
for Life can be accessed at this link:
http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/exercise.asp
National Institute for Health SeniorHealth web site Exercise for Older Adults
can be accessed at this link:
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/toc.html.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web site on Seniors and Exercise can
be accessed at this link:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00380
Driving ability can also be affected by medications including those
prescribed by a physician and those purchased over-the-counter. In many cases,
seniors may not be aware of the affects of medications have on driving taken
singly or in combination. The NHTSA resources on this topic can be accessed at
these links:
Driving When Are Taking Medications:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/medications/index.htm
Polypharmacy and Older Drivers: Identifying Strategies to Study Drug Usage
and Driving Functioning Among Older Drivers:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/polypharmacy
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