The “silver tsunami” as it’s been dubbed by AAA is upon us and in less than 10 years one in four licensed drivers will be age 65 or older.  Research shows that people today live an average of about 7 to 10 years beyond their safe driving ability – but the thought of giving up ones independence is a hard concept to grasp, and many families don’t know how to start talking to their aging parents. To aid aging drivers and their families for the coming storm, AAA is helping to promote Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, this week to help get the conversation started. 

 

“AAA hopes to raise visibility of resources and tools that will help families address real and perceived challenges associated with driving and aging,” said Jake Nelson, director, AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research. AAA is promoting the importance of communication between older drivers and their families, so that they’ll be able to safely navigate the issue. 

 

To help manage the effects of aging on driving ability, AAA offers the following resources for older drivers: 

 

- AAA Roadwise Review – a computer based self-screening tool designed to assess a driver’s functional abilities important to safe driving.

 

- CarFit and AAA’s Smart Features for Mature Drivers – help enhance senior’s comfort and safety while driving. 

 

- Safe Driving for Mature Operators – classroom and online courses to provide driver training to help address the changes caused by aging and how a driver may compensate. 

 

Conversations about safe driving can evoke strong emotional reactions as concerns about personal independence and managing other day-to-day activities may come into question. AAA encourages seniors and their families to approach these sensitive conversations as opportunities for constructive communication and problem solving.