Transportation
Safety
Driving requires the ability to visually process one's environment, the cognitive capacity to formulate an appropriate response, and the physical ability to execute the necessary actions. Some older adults experience a higher rate of visual problems, cognitive limitations, medication side effects, and other physical limitations that can compromise their driving ability, yet still retain their licenses.
Many others recognize their functional limitations and seek rehabilitation options (e.g., visual correction, vehicle modification), or responsibly reduce or discontinue their driving in visually or cognitively challenging situations such as heavy traffic, bad weather, or at night. Driving cessation, however, may be the only realistic option for the small proportion of older drivers who have severe, irreversible functional impairments. Education can be effective in helping older adults assess their own driving skills, and modify their driving behavior to stay on the road as long as it is safe.
Without education and/or rehabilitation, age-related declines in driving ability can increase the risk for negative outcomes such as crashes. Older adults have a higher rate of crash involvement per mile driven than all other drivers, except for those under 25. An even greater concern is that, in similar crash situations, older drivers are more likely than the young to be killed or injured. The fatality rate among older drivers is a significant traffic safety and public health concern. Some system planners have tried to reduce crash risk by adapting driving environments to accommodate age-related changes in physical function.
For example, research by the Transportation Research Board indicates that increasing the size and reflectivity of road signs can make driving safer for older adults. These changes to the roadway help people more quickly recognize and respond to visual cues. State regulations addressing the size and reflectivity of road signs are based on the driving population's median age.
The Texas Department of Transportation has recognized the need to update their guidelines as the driving population ages. The Texas Silver Haired Legislature passed a resolution (SR-4) to request the 78th Legislature to recommend reducing the distance between reflectors, provide larger information and direction signs and appropriately place direction signs in new highway construction. The resolution also calls for intersections and streets to be marked with larger signs. Incentives will be provided for business and homeowners to provide large well-placed address number signs where they can be easily seen by passing motorists.
Updated: November 2, 2007
