This report documents a study of the traffic safety problems associated with elderly drivers. For the purposes of this study, "elderly drivers" are defined as drivers aged 55 years or older. The study involved five major activities. First, research was reviewed to determine what factors (e.g., deficiencies of performance, health, and knowledge) are most strongly related to the aging process and the accident experience of older drivers. Second, 20 driver education courses made available to older drivers were reviewed to determine what had been and was being done to address these problems. Third, an eight-hour program designed specifically for older drivers by National Retired Teachers Association/American Association of Retired Persons was evaluated. The evaluation design allowed project staff to collect data bearing on subjects personal characteristics, vehicle use patterns, driving problems, and crash and conviction histories. Analysis indicated that the program was effective in increasing subject knowledge. No significant effect on accident rate was found, though the small sample size would allow a modest but significant effect to go undetected. Crash experience did appear to be a function of exposure and medical problems. On the basis of information gained through these three activities, an older driver instructional manual--suitable for distribution by a variety of agencies serving the older community--was developed. Also developed was a set of recommendations to guide the development, content, and instruction approach taken in future programs for older driver retraining.
Abstract