Between 2008 and 2017, the U.S. population of people 65 and older increased by 31%. In 2017, the number of people 65 and older killed in traffic crashes (6,784) made up 18 percent of all traffic fatalities. Because of the increasing proportion of older drivers on our nation’s roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is dedicated more than ever to promoting safe behaviors of older drivers on our nation’s roads.

The most common contributing factor for drivers aged 65 and older for both fatal and all crashes is failure to yield right of way. This includes improper left-hand turns. The second most frequent contributing cause for fatal crashes was failure to maintain lane. Following too closely was the second-most common cause for drivers in this age range involved in a nonfatal crash.

WHAT OLDER DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW

1) Understand the impact that aging can have on your safe driving skills:

• Vision, memory, strength, flexibility, and reaction time can decline as we age.
• Talk to your doctor about conditions and medications that may affect your driving.

2) Be proactive about your safe driving skills:

• Take a certified driver safety course.
• Attend a CarFit safety event.
• Learn where your safe driving skills are now: take a self-assessment test or find a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist and get an evaluation.

3) Plan for a safe transition from driving while remaining active:

• Learn how to start a conversation when concerned about someone’s driving.
• Learn what transportation options are available in your community; start by visiting your local Area Agency on Aging webpage.

THE PROGRAM

• Beneficiaries: Older drivers and their caregivers
• Partners:The Older Driver Task Force includes multi-disciplinary partners throughout the state. Some partners to this effort include, but are not limited to: Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Division of Aging Services (DAS), Regional Geriatric Education Center (RGEC), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) throughout the state, Shepherd Center, Georgia Vision Collaborative, Department of Driver Services, Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), Georgia Tech Research Institute, Emory Center for Injury and Control, Atlanta Council on Aging, The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Atlanta Jewish Federation, Common Courtesy (non-profit, alternative transportation), occupational and physical therapists, non-profit and small businesses committed to older driver safety, and many others.
• Program services are provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Injury Prevention Program (IPP) to build support for statewide and local program development, implementation, evaluation, coordination, and data needs.

The Older Driver Safety Program goal is to maintain the mobility of older adults while keeping them safe. The program utilizes a public health approach to develop collaborative relationships and processes to determine appropriate educational, environmental, and policy interventions for health and safety professionals, as well as the public.

All project activities are focused on statewide implementation.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Georgia Older Driver Task Force

Mission Statement:
Georgians: Getting Older, Getting Wiser, Getting Mobile

Overarching Goal: To maintain the mobility and safety of older drivers, while making the roadways safer for all road users. The group primarily focuses on reducing the number of injuries and fatalities experienced by older drivers, and where possible, enhancing mobility options for older adults. The task force will implement activities geared toward the five E’s: Education, Engineering, Enforcement (policy), EMS, and Evaluation.

Education

Goal: To educate professionals, older adults, their family members, and the community about the risk and protective factors associated with driving safety. The program will provide presentations and educational sessions to professionals, community organizations, older adults, caregivers, and others across many disciplines in order to foster partnerships, collaboration, increase of knowledge about older driver safety concerns and available resources.

Alternative Transportation

Goal: The goal for alternative transportation is to address older adult’s mobility issues and improve access to mobility options in Georgia. This goal includes researching other states and their progress with alternative transportation, as well as bringing together alternative transportation partners across Georgia in order to foster a collaborative response.

Department of Driver Services (DDS) Partnership

Goal:The Older Driver Task Force partners with DDS to provide helpful information to older drivers and partners.

DDS Senior Driving Page 
Driver Review Form (DDS 270) This form can be used by law enforcement, concerned community members, or others to initiate the medical revocation process (Click Here For Additional Details On That Process).

Engineering: Older Driver Safety (Train-the-Trainer) Workshop

Goal:To address the knowledge gaps among traffic engineers and highway designers. This workshop is held annually and targets traffic engineers throughout Georgia.

CarFit Program

Goal: To educate drivers, especially older adults on how to fit correctly and safely in their seat while driving. It is a free educational program offered by Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute in Georgia (GTIPI) to train individuals to be certified CarFit Technicians and/or Event Coordinators. Once certified, CarFit events are voluntarily hosted at churches, senior community centers, and shopping centers. The event lasts approximately four hours.

CarFit Program

Impact: Reduce the injuries and fatalities suffered by older drivers. Make the roadways safer for all drivers and pedestrians.
Return on Investment: Hospital charges for motor vehicle related injuries attributed to Georgia residents 65 years and older totaled more than $69 million in 2010. Prevention strategies that maintain the safety of older drivers benefit everyone.

Contact Information:
Elizabeth Head | (404) 657-2894 |

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers:
American Automobile Association RoadWise Prescription tool
Florida Fitness-to-Drive Online Screening Measure
Department of Driver Services

Resources for Professionals and Community Members:
The Georgia Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS). OASIS is a suite of interactive tools used to access the Georgia Department of Public Health’s standardized health data repository. OASIS and the Repository are designed, built and maintained by the Office of Health Indicators for Planning (OHIP).

SafetyLit: Injury Research and Prevention Literature Update
SafetyLit provides abstracts of reports from researchers who work in the more than 30 professional disciplines relevant to preventing unintentional injuries, violence, and self-harm. Among these are anthropology, economics, education, engineering specialties, ergonomics and human factors, health and medicine, law and law enforcement, psychology, sociology, and other fields.

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