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Senior Drivers. Gail Weinholzer Director of Public Affairs AAA Minnesota/Iowa. AAA and Senior Drivers. AAA was formed more than 100 years ago for roadway safety General traffic safety as well as specific age groups: Young Passengers Teen Drivers Senior Drivers
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Senior Drivers Gail Weinholzer Director of Public Affairs AAA Minnesota/Iowa
AAA and Senior Drivers • AAA was formed more than 100 years ago for roadway safety • General traffic safety as well as specific age groups: • Young Passengers • Teen Drivers • Senior Drivers • 51 million members with an average age of 50+
Maximize strengths • Experience • Low crash rates • Good habits • Seat belt use- high • Technology use- low • Speed- low • Impairment- low (except prescription meds)
Minimize weaknesses • Manual • Strength, flexibility, reactions • Visual • Useful field of view • High and low contrast visual acuity • Visualization of missing information • Visual search • Cognitive • Working memory • Manage multiple distractions/stimuli
Senior Driver Awareness • Fragility- higher death rates • Seniors tend to self regulate • Time of day • Locations • Passengers
Driving Goals • Keep people driving as long as safely possible • Then, assist with transitioning to other forms of mobility • Men outlive driving age by 7 years • Women outlive driving age by 10 years
AAASeniors.com • How to Help a Senior Driver information includes: • Early Planning- plan ahead • Communication- have conversations early on • Skill Assessment- online and hard copy • Overcoming Resistance- enlist doctors/law enforcement/friends • Agreeing to Safe Limits- when and where • Choosing a Vehicle- checklist • When to Stop- key indicators
AAASeniors.com • Safe Driving Tips • Vehicle Preparation- lights, windshield • Getting Ready- mirrors, head rests • Health & Fitness- exercise, eye exams, sleep • Driving Tips- do’s and don’ts • Travel Tips- plan, breaks, rest, food • Emergencies
AAASeniors.com • Expert Advice- Common Q/A’s • Know the Facts- Numbers, habits, safety records, effects of aging on driving
AAASeniors.com • Resources: • Driving Assessment Tools- Driver 55+, AAA Roadwise Review, Classes (online and in classroom) • Brochures- How to Help an Older Driver, Older and Wiser Driver, Safe Mobility Resources • Vehicle Purchase & Maintenance • Transportation Alternatives- Disability is not the end of mobility • Driver’s License Laws- state web sites
Thank you! • Contact information: • Gail Weinholzer • 952-707-4985 • gail.weinholzer@mn-ia.aaa.com