Have you ever wondered how the process of aging affects driving ability?

We all eventually slip into this status without feeling much different about ourselves. But just as professional athletes notice when it's time to leave their careers; older drivers should recognize that some unplanned limitations may start to introduce small changes to their driving abilities. Just like professional athletes, older drivers should be alert to small changes in their skills as they age.

We don't mean you or your senior relatives should consider retiring from driving, just be aware that some extra caution can help avoid trouble in potentially dangerous driving situations.

Research by various safety authorities in the U.S. show that older drivers share about the same risk for problems as young drivers. While the reasons are different, the statistics for younger and older drivers are similar.

Here are some stats on older drivers that raise a caution flag and should be considered:

Motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries among older adults are rising. During the last decade, the number of deaths rose 14% and the number of nonfatal injuries climbed 19% among drivers 65 and older.

Drivers 65 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than all but teen drivers.

Most traffic fatalities involving older drivers occurred during the daytime (81%) and on weekdays (72%). Just over 75% of the crashes involved another vehicle. The 65 and older age group is the fastest growing segment of the population; more than 40 million older adults will be licensed drivers by 2020.

Drivers ages 65 and older who are injured in motor vehicle crashes are more likely than younger drivers to die from their injuries.

Rates for motor vehicle-related injury are twice as high for older men than for older women.

A study of crashes involving older drivers in Wisconsin found that drivers ages 65 to 74 did not pose a greater risk of serious injury or death for others than did younger drivers.

Subtle changes in depth perception and adjusting to bright and dark conditions are typical aspects of aging. The loss of hearing and coordination are also normal aspects of aging.

One big factor contributing to an increased risk of an accident is hearing loss. If you are an older driver, or have one or more in your local family, you should be concerned about hearing loss and its impact on driving ability? There are lots of reasons to seek treatment for hearing loss. Driving usually isn't at the top of the list.

If you are wondering about yourself or an older relative, this Website offers a self-evaluation questionnaire: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/
older_driver/index.htm

Protective Factors
Older adults wear safety belts more often than any other age groups except infants and preschool children.

Older adult drivers tend to drive when conditions are safest. They limit their driving during bad weather and at night, and they drive fewer miles than younger drivers.

Older adult drivers are less likely to drink and drive than other adults.

We appreciate all of our older customers. You are good customers and we are ready to do our best to keep you safe on the road.