Vehicle and Driving Safety: The Effects of Aging on Driving Skills

2010PDFBooklet/PamphletAgedAged driversSafetyAutomobile drivingAbilitiesSafety and Human FactorsOlder driversCognitionAlertnessUnited StatesUSAA Educational FoundationUSAA Educational FoundationNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYUS Transportation CollectionEach year millions of individuals become senior adults who rely on driving to maintain independence. Age does not reflect driving ability. As a group, older adults are among the safest on the road \u2014 wearing seat belts, obeying the speed limit and avoiding drinking and driving more than other age groups. Nevertheless, older adults are more likely to be injured or killed in a vehicle accident, no matter who is at fault. Safe driving requires the complex coordination of many skills. Although few individuals associate 40-year-old adults with aging, this is when subtle changes in vision, hearing, fitness and concentration can begin \u2014 and may affect driving proficiency.75