The belief that older drivers are dangerous drivers belongs in the category of urban legend, said Jason King, director of public affairs for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
"Most older drivers are the safest on the road. But, if you look at the figures of those who die, the numbers increase mostly because the older drivers are frail," King said.
In fact, statistics from a 2001 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles report, the most recent report available, back up that statement.
According to the numbers, the age group with the highest number of accidents was 21- to 25-year-olds, who were involved in 34,505 of the total 262,327 crashes in the state for that year. All of the age groups covering the senior population — 56 to over 70 years old combined —accounted for 45,005 crashes. Drivers over 66 recorded 16,608 crashes, which is less than every age group between the 21-25 to 46-50 ranges.
Conversely, the over-70 age group had the most driver fatalities with 81, followed by the 21- to 25-year-olds, a close second with 71. Combined, the 56 to over-70 age groups accounted for 162 of the 614 driver fatalities that year.
"Seniors are better drivers because they modify their behavior," King said.
A pilot program in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. is designed to ensure the older drivers stay safe on the road, while also providing transportation options if it is time to surrender the car keys.
THE PROGRAM is a collaboration of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Motor Vehicle Departments for Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C., the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA), the Maryland State Highway Administration, the National Area Agency on Aging, AARP, AAA, the District Department of Transportation and local state police.
"It's designed to get older drivers, 65 and older, and those who care about them to learn about the affects of aging on driving," King said. "We're trying to get people to know the signs for when it's time to look into a driving refresher course and if that's not enough, they need to see a driver rehabilitation instructor. Also to explore alternative transportation in the area. The key thing is to talk about the problems before they become an issue."
The GrandDriver program is a classroom course that includes speakers ranging from state police officers to transportation experts. One recent presentation at the Lincolnia Senior Center in Alexandria included taking a group of seniors, accompanied by two county staff members and GrandDriver representatives, to Pentagon City for lunch using only buses and Metrorail, then having them make the return trip on their own. The idea was to teach them how to use public transportation.
"We just think it's a fabulous program. We're very enthusiastic about it," said Denis Paddeu, one of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff members who took part in the field trip. "The key is the cooperation between the various county agencies and WMATA. It gave us an opportunity to talk to our seniors about transportation and for them to learn to use the system."
"There are 18 million licensed drivers over 70 in the U.S. and over the next 20 years that will grow to well over 20 million, as people are living longer," King said. "The program is designed to keep them in their cars as long as possible and when it is no longer possible, to use other transportation resources."
FOR OLDER DRIVERS, it is not a case of diminished driving skills, it is a case of slower reaction times or life's aches and pains that can make driving difficult. So it is important for seniors to learn to compensate for their aging body and reflexes.
"Older drivers are no more dangerous than younger drivers," said Ray Veltri, the Northern Virginia coordinator of the AARP Driver Safety Program. "We all know people in their 30s and 40s who shouldn't be on the road just as there are people in their 60s and 70s that shouldn't be on the road."
Veltri said the AARP course focuses on the physical changes that could affect driving, avoiding stressful or frustration situations, a "rules of the road" refresher and teaching seniors about the new technology found in today's vehicles.
"Many cars today have lights that come on when there is a problem instead of having the driver monitor gauges. They have air bags and anti-lock brakes, and when a lot of these people began driving, seat belts weren't required," Veltri said.
Senior drivers also need to learn to compensate for changes in their vision, especially sensitivity to glare or headlights and the loss of peripheral vision. In addition, there is a loss of depth perception and a slowing of reaction time and the cognitive senses. Even something like arthritis could mean a person has to learn to drive differently because the aches could make it harder to turn. The AARP program also encourages seniors to keep an updated list of transportation options in case driving is no longer is a possibility.
"We don't want people to give up their license unnecessarily as long as they are still a safe driver," Veltri said. "But, if you find yourself getting lost in familiar neighborhoods or having an increased number of near-misses or fender benders, then it is time to look into other options."
Which is the whole point of the GrandDriver campaign, said King, "A lot of people are intimidated by other forms of transportation. The car key is also the key to independence. You have a plan for retirement, we're saying you also need a plan for independent living, including transportation."
The Fairfax County Police Department is not taking part in the GrandDriver program but has a similar campaign, the Mature Operator's Driver Improvement Program, said Sgt. Jeffrey Gossett. The program is available through the Franconia District Station.