This Week is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, AAA Says

AAA says the first week of December is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. The week is an annual campaign to promote the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active within their community while also staying safe behind the wheel.

AAA says 18% of the US population is those 65 years and older. The organization says this age demographic shows mobility and independence are vital to staying engaged and active in their communities, but age-related changes or medications could impact driving abilities for older adults.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2014 to 2023, the US population of those aged 65 and older increased by 28%. In the same time frame, the number of older drivers involved in fatal crashes also increased by 41%, while the number of those licensed increased by 38% for older adults.

NHTSA also reported in 2023, 7,891 people 65 and older were killed in a crash, accounting for 19% of all traffic fatalities. Among the older population, the traffic fatality rate per 100,000 population in 2023 was highest for the 80-to-84-and-older age group.

For New York State, 242 people aged 65 and older were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, accounting for 21.7% of all fatalities.

“The topic of driving may feel sensitive for many older drivers,” said AAA WCNY Driver Training Manager Mike Formanowicz. “For this reason, we encourage family members and caregivers to have a conversation about safe driving with the older adults in their lives. Helping older drivers understand how physical and cognitive changes may affect driving abilities can help extend independent driving or determine how best to handle driving scenarios.”

AAA says family members and caregivers can help older drivers by planning ahead for safe mobility beyond the driver’s seat. This could include looking at other transportation options that could suit their needs. AAA added delaying these tough conversations could make it more difficult and stressful for all those involved. AAA added families and caregivers can alleviate negative feelings by showing compassion and empathy during conversations with older drivers.