Consumer Alert: NHTSA Encourages Older Drivers and Their Families to Make a Safe Driving Plan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages older drivers and their families to talk about making a safe driving plan. Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which begins today and runs through Dec. 6, reminds everyone to have these conversations to help older drivers navigate changes in driving behaviors and learn about the importance of planning ahead.

Fatalities in traffic crashes involving older drivers increased by 42% in a decade, from 6,057 in 2013 to 8,572 in 2022. Crashes are more harmful for older adults than their younger counterparts because reaction times decrease with age, and older individuals may be more prone to injury in a crash.

One of the most important actions older drivers and their families can take is to talk about age-related changes and develop a transportation plan that meets their needs well in advance. Being proactive can help keep older adults safe, independent and mobile for as long as possible.

NHTSA offers the following tips and resources for older drivers and their families:

• Talk About It Early. Older drivers and their family members are encouraged to learn and talk about age-related changes that may affect their ability to drive safely and what they can do about it long before difficulties are noticed. NHTSA’s Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully can be a helpful starting point.
• Schedule Regular Health Check-Ups and Review Medications. Talk to a doctor about how age-related changes and medications may affect driving abilities. Ensure glasses and contact lenses are up to date if needed.
• Plan Safer Trips. Choose times of the day when traffic is lighter and weather conditions are favorable, as well as routes that avoid unprotected left turns when possible.
• Consider a Driver Assessment. Driver rehabilitation specialists can provide professional driving evaluations, which can help identify areas of strengths and needs.
• Explore Transportation Options Beyond the Driver’s Seat. Make an alternative transportation plan well in advance. Some options to consider might be friends or family who live nearby, public transportation, or volunteer and religious organizations that offer transportation services. Family members should keep in mind that decisions about a person’s ability to drive should be based on driving fitness and not age. NHTSA’s How to Understand and Influence Older Drivers may be a helpful resource for family members.

For more information on older driver safety, visit NHTSA.gov/OlderDrivers.