Vehicle smart features increase safety for advanced age drivers

DENVER, March 27 - Persons over age 60 represent the fastest growing population segment in the United States. In Colorado, approximately 652,000 licensed drivers are age 60 and older. How can this segment of the population safely retain their mobility on the roadways longer?

According to a study released by AAA and the National Older Driver Research and Training Center (NODRTC), aging drivers can safely stay on roads longer by matching their vehicle selection to normal physical changes that come with age.

This week, AAA, in partnership with the University of Florida's NODRTC, released its Smart Features for Mature Drivers, a tool aging drivers can use to keep on the road safely despite common physical changes that arrive with age.

"It's important that aging motorists address their specific needs to retain their mobility while remaining safe drivers," said Wave Dreher, Manager of Traffic Safety for AAA Colorado. "Smart Features for Mature Drivers provides the information older drivers need when choosing a new vehicle or evaluating their current car for safety."

Because everyone ages differently, AAA recommends mature drivers look for vehicles with features that address their specific needs and health issues. Some of the recommendations included in Smart Features for Mature Drivers (which is available for free at AAA.com/Seniors) include:

• Drivers suffering from hip or leg pain, decreased leg strength or limited knee range of motion should look for vehicles with six-way adjustable power seats and seat heights that come between the driver's mid-thigh and lower buttocks. Both of these features can make it easier for drivers to enter and exit a vehicle.
• Drivers with arthritic hands, painful or stiff fingers or diminished fine motor skills would benefit from four-door models, thick steering wheels, keyless entry and ignition, power mirrors and seats and larger dashboard controls with buttons.
• Drivers with diminished vision or problems with low contrast sensitivity will find helpful vehicles with extendable sun visors, large audio and climate controls and displays with contrasting text.

AAA's Smart Features for Mature Drivers also includes vehicle features recommended for all seniors, regardless of their health issues, such as:

• Proven crashworthiness, crash tests and rollover ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (safercar.gov) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (iihs.org/ratings)
• Side and dual-stage/threshold airbags that adjust the deployment force based on the severity of the crash
• Adjustable head restraints and extra padding
• Antilock brakes
• Dynamic stability control

"AAA Colorado remains committed to keeping seniors driving as long as safely possible through our Lifelong Safe Mobility initiative," said Dreher. "We hope that tools such as Smart Features for Mature Drivers will help accomplish that goal."

As part of AAA's Lifelong Safe Mobility initiative, many additional tools for keeping aging drivers safe are available. Those include:

• AAA RoadWise Review - a self-assessment tool that allows mature drivers to consider their driving strengths and weaknesses on their own, in a nonconfrontational way. The software can be used annually, like a regular doctor's check-up to assess changes in driving ability
• CarFit - AAA program that gives older drivers a comprehensive check how well they and their vehicles work together.
• Mature Drivers Checklist - a checklist that can help overcome the natural changes that commonly affects our driving as we age.

Information on obtaining these tools can be found at www.AAA.com/seniors or by calling 303-753-8800, extension 8105.

AAA Colorado has more than 500,000 members in Colorado and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.