With more older Americans on the road than ever before and in light of data showing higher motor vehicle crash rates among the elderly, it’s fair to ask: how old is too old to drive?
In part, it depends on who you ask.
Helen Yeatropoulos, a 91-year old Jacksonville resident recently profiled by News 4 Jax, has been driving for more than 75 years and thinks that driving should remain a part of her active lifestyle. Her family disagrees.
Helen’s daughter told the TV station that her mother has bumped into things, hit other drivers and been hit seven times over the last few years, a trend she fears may conclude with a catastrophic accident. Based on data about older drivers, she may have a point.
Safety Issues Facing Older Drivers
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), at age 70 fatal crash rates increase per capita, while both crash rates and fatal crash rates increase per mile traveled. IIHS observes, however, that these statistics are a bit misleading because older drivers tend to accumulate driving miles on city roads, which have much higher crash rates per mile traveled than other types of roads.
There’s no getting around the fact that physical, cognitive and visual abilities decline with age, although the drop-off can vary significantly among individuals. There are also studies suggesting that as drivers get older, they tend to self-regulate for situations such as not driving during peak traffic hours or not driving after taking medications.
Ron Page of the Northeast Florida Safety Council, who’s been teaching driving safety classes for 27 years, told News 4 Jax that he agrees that older drivers are better drivers in that they’re conscious of their limitations. However, he says that drivers 85 and older are the most dangerous.
“The numbers are going to increase and the problems going to get worse before it gets better,” Wood said. “If they’ve had a lot of close calls, if they’ve had more than the usual amount of fender benders, I think it’s time for an intervention.”
Talking About When to Stop Driving
Writing for Forbes, healthy aging blogger Carolyn Rosenblatt suggests talking to an elderly loved one about his or her driving first in a one-on-one setting, and if that’s unsuccessful, in the company of a trusted friend, other family member or even a professional.
If these interventions fail and the elder’s driving is deemed dangerous enough, an unsafe driver may be confidentially reported to Florida officials to prompt possible medical reports and license testing.
Short of that, Florida law requires drivers age 80 and older to renew their license every six years, compared to eight years for younger drivers. People 80 and older must also pass an eye exam with every renewal.
Ideally, older drivers will realize when it’s time to call it quits. During her interview with News 4 Jax, Yeatropoulos agreed to give up driving.
For less-cooperative older drivers, families would do well to initiate a dialogue about the appropriate time to park the car for good.
With more older Americans on the road than ever before and in light of data showing higher motor vehicle crash rates among the elderly, it’s fair to ask: how old is too old to drive?
In part, it depends on who you ask.
Helen Yeatropoulos, a 91-year old Jacksonville resident recently profiled by News 4 Jax, has been driving for more than 75 years and thinks that driving should remain a part of her active lifestyle. Her family disagrees.
Helen’s daughter told the TV station that her mother has bumped into things, hit other drivers and been hit seven times over the last few years, a trend she fears may conclude with a catastrophic accident. Based on data about older drivers, she may have a point.
Safety Issues Facing Older Drivers
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), at age 70 fatal crash rates increase per capita, while both crash rates and fatal crash rates increase per mile traveled. IIHS observes, however, that these statistics are a bit misleading because older drivers tend to accumulate driving miles on city roads, which have much higher crash rates per mile traveled than other types of roads.
There’s no getting around the fact that physical, cognitive and visual abilities decline with age, although the drop-off can vary significantly among individuals. There are also studies suggesting that as drivers get older, they tend to self-regulate for situations such as not driving during peak traffic hours or not driving after taking medications.
Ron Page of the Northeast Florida Safety Council, who’s been teaching driving safety classes for 27 years, told News 4 Jax that he agrees that older drivers are better drivers in that they’re conscious of their limitations. However, he says that drivers 85 and older are the most dangerous.
“The numbers are going to increase and the problems going to get worse before it gets better,” Wood said. “If they’ve had a lot of close calls, if they’ve had more than the usual amount of fender benders, I think it’s time for an intervention.”
Talking About When to Stop Driving
Writing for Forbes, healthy aging blogger Carolyn Rosenblatt suggests talking to an elderly loved one about his or her driving first in a one-on-one setting, and if that’s unsuccessful, in the company of a trusted friend, other family member or even a professional.
If these interventions fail and the elder’s driving is deemed dangerous enough, an unsafe driver may be confidentially reported to Florida officials to prompt possible medical reports and license testing.
Short of that, Florida law requires drivers age 80 and older to renew their license every six years, compared to eight years for younger drivers. People 80 and older must also pass an eye exam with every renewal.
Ideally, older drivers will realize when it’s time to call it quits. During her interview with News 4 Jax, Yeatropoulos agreed to give up driving.
For less-cooperative older drivers, families would do well to initiate a dialogue about the appropriate time to park the car for good.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, AARP, and the Department of Health and Human Services offer resources for people who are ready to have that important talk.