Myth Buster Quiz

It is important to recognize what factors cause some older drivers to go from being safe drivers to unsafe drivers. Age alone doesn’t determine if a driver is safe on the road or that he or she should stop driving. Many older adults self-regulate to compensate for physical and cognitive changes that they experience as they age—to remain safe behind the wheel and keep others safe. If a particular driver is unsafe, it’s usually because of an underlying health issue. Driving involves the complex intersection of physical health and cognitive abilities, as well as skills and knowledge of the road. If health conditions present challenges drivers may engage a knowledgeable professional to evaluate ways they can remain safe and on the road for a lifetime.

It is important to recognize what factors cause some older drivers to go from being safe drivers to unsafe drivers. Age alone doesn’t determine if a driver is safe on the road or that he or she should stop driving. Many older adults self-regulate to compensate for physical and cognitive changes that they experience as they age—to remain safe behind the wheel and keep others safe. If a particular driver is unsafe, it’s usually because of an underlying health issue. Driving involves the complex intersection of physical health and cognitive abilities, as well as skills and knowledge of the road. If health conditions present challenges drivers may engage a knowledgeable professional to evaluate ways they can remain safe and on the road for a lifetime.

Age does not determine whether a person will have to stop driving. Safe driving is about health and ability – not age. Two people who are the same age can have very different skills and abilities to drive safely. For example, the differences in skills between two 75-year-old drivers can be great – and much of that difference can be attributed to differences in fitness and health.

Few members of past generations, who had shorter lives and experienced greater health problems, even considered the possibility that they might be able to keep driving well into old age. Today, as we live longer and healthier lives, we want to stay mobile and involved – and continuing to drive becomes important to our ability to do that.

Studying the potential and the limitations of older drivers is relatively new in our society. As this science evolves, we are learning more and more about ways to keep drivers safe. For example, we now know that many people who have stopped driving (often after a health event) may be able to regain their ability to drive safely.

Age does not determine whether a person will have to stop driving. Safe driving is about health and ability – not age. Two people who are the same age can have very different skills and abilities to drive safely. For example, the differences in skills between two 75-year-old drivers can be great – and much of that difference can be attributed to differences in fitness and health.

Few members of past generations, who had shorter lives and experienced greater health problems, even considered the possibility that they might be able to keep driving well into old age. Today, as we live longer and healthier lives, we want to stay mobile and involved – and continuing to drive becomes important to our ability to do that.

Studying the potential and the limitations of older drivers is relatively new in our society. As this science evolves, we are learning more and more about ways to keep drivers safe. For example, we now know that many people who have stopped driving (often after a health event) may be able to regain their ability to drive safely.

As a group, older drivers are relatively safe. Much of the research on older drivers attributes this to the use of good judgment about driving -- referred to as “self-regulation.” This means that older drivers tend to limit the amount and type of driving as their skills decline. Avoiding challenging situations like night driving or rush hour driving is commonplace with older drivers and makes good sense.

As a group, older drivers are relatively safe. Much of the research on older drivers attributes this to the use of good judgment about driving -- referred to as “self-regulation.” This means that older drivers tend to limit the amount and type of driving as their skills decline. Avoiding challenging situations like night driving or rush hour driving is commonplace with older drivers and makes good sense.

Overall approximately 12.4 percent of all drivers drove under the influence of alcohol within the last year. For drivers over the age of 25, the rate of driving under the influence of alcohol declines with age. As of 2008 two percent of drivers over the age of 65, drove under the influence of alcohol within the last year.

(Source: U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Figure 3.5 "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in the Past Year among Persons Aged 16 or Older, by Age: 2008.")

Figure 3.5 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in the Past Year among Persons Aged 16 or Older, by Age: 2008 More

Overall approximately 12.4 percent of all drivers drove under the influence of alcohol within the last year. For drivers over the age of 25, the rate of driving under the influence of alcohol declines with age. As of 2008 two percent of drivers over the age of 65, drove under the influence of alcohol within the last year.

(Source: U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Figure 3.5 "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in the Past Year among Persons Aged 16 or Older, by Age: 2008.")

Figure 3.5 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in the Past Year among Persons Aged 16 or Older, by Age: 2008 More

Many older drivers say that if someone needs to talk to them about their driving they would prefer to hear from a spouse or children. If a spouse or other family member feels that an older driver is no longer safe, it’s time for a conversation. Limiting or stopping driving can be a very emotional topic for all involved.

In research conducted by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab, older drivers expressed their preference for who should speak with them about their driving, if it becomes necessary. We found that:

• Married couples prefer to hear from a spouse or adult children. Outside the family, doctors are their top preference.
• Single older adults prefer to hear from doctors, closely followed by adult children.
• Most older adults put law-enforcement officials and other authorities low on the list.

For the conversation to be successful, it is also important that it be factual and well-planned. To help your family have conversations that are both sensitive and successful, click here.

Many older drivers say that if someone needs to talk to them about their driving they would prefer to hear from a spouse or children. If a spouse or other family member feels that an older driver is no longer safe, it’s time for a conversation. Limiting or stopping driving can be a very emotional topic for all involved.

In research conducted by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab, older drivers expressed their preference for who should speak with them about their driving, if it becomes necessary. We found that:

• Married couples prefer to hear from a spouse or adult children. Outside the family, doctors are their top preference.
• Single older adults prefer to hear from doctors, closely followed by adult children.
• Most older adults put law-enforcement officials and other authorities low on the list.

For the conversation to be successful, it is also important that it be factual and well-planned. To help your family have conversations that are both sensitive and successful, click here.

Research finds that 88% of drivers age 70 and older use a safety belt and 83% of drivers age 25 to 69 use a safety belt compared with 77% of drivers age 16 to 24.

Source: National Occupant Protection Use Survey, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2007.

Research finds that 88% of drivers age 70 and older use a safety belt and 83% of drivers age 25 to 69 use a safety belt compared with 77% of drivers age 16 to 24.

Source: National Occupant Protection Use Survey, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2007.