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Consumer Tips: Making the Roads Safer for Senior Drivers


Experience counts, and seniors are the most experienced drivers on the road. They also tend to drive safer cars. And, when they recognize signs of diminishing driving skills, many begin to limit their driving to daylight hours and familiar roads.

A car provides a level of independence and, in many cases, has provided that independence for decades. But, there comes a time when driving skills may begin to diminish. When older drivers update their understanding of the rules of the road and make a few adjustments to their driving style, they make the roads safer for all of us.

Diminishing skills

Drivers 70 and older have higher rates of fatal crashes, based on miles driven, than any other group except drivers who are 16 to 19 years old.

More than 5,500 people aged 65 and older were killed in traffic accidents in 2012 with another 214,000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By 2020 there will be more than 40 million drivers in this age group on the road, up from 35 million in 2012.

As we age, our eyesight wanes, hearing falters and we aren’t as physically flexible as we once were. To help older drivers, insurers have partnered with state and local governments to create programs designed to address these needs.

Senior driving courses

Refresher courses such as AAA’s Roadwise Driver may be beneficial for older drivers. They explain new rules of the road and new vehicle features, such as lane departure warning systems, and help seniors recognize physical limitations in vision, hearing and mobility. These programs also help drivers understand how they can compensate for these limitations. Courses may be offered in a classroom or online and may even result in a discount on auto insurance.

Identifying the signs of diminishing driving skills

If you have concerns about the driving of an elderly parent or friend, you may want to be aware of a few signs of possible unsafe driving behavior. Some indicators include drivers who:

  • Have small dents, scratches or other marks on their car.
  • May have trouble reading or seeing road signs while driving.
  • Are easily distracted or startled while driving.
  • Have difficulty turning their head from left to right.
  • Experience a loss of hearing.


Online quizzes and interactive driving evaluation courses from groups such as AAA can also help drivers evaluate their skills. Other resources can be found at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

For more information about senior driving programs and insurance discounts for completing driver refresher courses, contact your local AAA office.

These tips are provided by the External Communications team at CSAA Insurance Group. For more information about policyholder tips, contact Wendy Lane or Amanda Wardell.