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Senior Drivers Support Tougher Driving Laws for Themselves


older driver

Latest AAA Foundation Report on Aging Americans Finds Surprising Results

WASHINGTON -- Dec. 1, 2014: While senior drivers favor tougher driving laws, from bans on wireless devices to ignitions interlocks for first time DUI offenders, an overwhelming majority support 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 out of 10 drivers age 65 and older favor policies that require drivers age 75 and older to renew their license in person and also 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."

Earlier this year, the AAA Foundation also released the Understanding Older Drivers: an Examination of Medical Conditions, Medication Use and Travel Behaviors report that found:

86 percent of those age 65 and older still drive 84 percent of Americans age 65 and older hold a driver's license compared to barely half in the early 1970s 68 percent of drivers age 85 plus report driving five or more days a week In addition to these reports, the AAA Foundation is currently taking a long-term look at aging drivers with a study that will systematically monitor the driving habits of more than 3,000 senior drivers over the next five years.

"With nearly nine out of ten seniors aged 65 and older still driving, it appears that additional years behind the wheel not only make drivers older, but wiser," said Jake Nelson, AAA's director of traffic safety advocacy and research. "As older adults live longer and spend more time behind the wheel, it's promising to see a trend towards a more pro-safety culture with increasing age."

The AAA Foundation and AAA are promoting these latest findings to support Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which is December 1-5, 2014. Established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), this week aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active in the community and that transportation will not be the barrier stranding them at home. You can learn more about the AOTA here.