In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Douglas County Government offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2, for normal business.
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Douglas County Government offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2, for normal business.
129 older drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018
Posted on December 3, 2019 2019Older AdultsTransportation
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is joining with local programs to observe Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 2-6, 2019. The goal of the program is to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation for older adults and to ensure they can remain active in their communities without transportation becoming a barrier to their mobility.
In 2018 there were 129 drivers over 65 years old involved in fatal crashes. In that same year, 74 older drivers died in car crashes. Older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies.
Research suggests that older adults can expect to outlive their ability to drive safely by seven to ten years.
“Older adults want to maintain their independence as they age and their independence is linked to their cars,” said Maile Gray, executive director of Drive Smart Colorado. “Drivers who use self-management to review their driving skills can retain their independence longer while limiting risks to themselves and others.”
A proactive way for older adults to enhance their safety behind the wheel is to be sure their car is properly adjusted. In 2019 CDOT sponsored 57 CarFit events around the state. At these events volunteers check for:
Drivers can find a Car-Fit event at www.car-fit.org.
As part of the aging process, some people experience physical, cognitive, and sensory changes that can affect driving. Taking notice of changes such as having trouble seeing at night can be remedied by choosing to restrict driving to daylight hours. Those experiencing anxiety about driving in heavy traffic may find errands to be more pleasant if they plan to drive at times other than rush hour.
“With increasing age come changes in physical, mental and sensory abilities that can challenge a person’s continued ability to drive safely,” said Sylvia Cordy, a traffic safety advocate with the Denver-based Reaching Older Adult Drivers program. “But there are a variety of safe travel options and focusing on these solutions is key.”
There are a variety of ways older adults can get around in their communities without driving. These include:
A list of Public Transit Services in Colorado is available at olderwiser.org.
Additionally, Colorado’s Guide for Aging Drivers and Their Families is available for free and can serve as an excellent resource to answer most questions including license reexamination and laws, resources for Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, Area Agency on Aging centers, and more. The guide can be downloaded at www.drivesmartcolorado.com or hard copies can be requested by sending an email to [email protected].
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