AA hosts US expert on senior driver issues

AA Driver Education Foundation hosts US expert on senior driver issues

With an ageing population, a new approach is needed to help senior drivers keep driving safely for as long as possible and to ensure there is more viable alternative transport for them when they can no longer drive, says the AA Driver Education Foundation (AADEF).

The AADEF is hosting a seminar and workshops focussed on senior driver issues in Wellington this week (1-2 March).

The Foundation has joined with Australian motoring clubs to bring out United States Occupational Therapist and senior driver expert Elin Schold Davis to learn more about what is being done in America to address needs there. Representatives from some Australian motoring clubs will also talk about developments across the Tasman.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is providing some support towards the event and representatives from the NZTA, government departments and other stakeholders will attend.

People aged over 65 are expected to make up about 25% of New Zealand’s population by 2051 and most people want to drive for as long as possible in order to access essential services and stay active in their communities, says AADEF Chairman Mike Noon.

“As the percentage of older people in New Zealand increases, issues associated with senior drivers will become more and more significant,” he says.

“It’s not simply an age issue. We all know of people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who are quite fit and capable of driving. The issues are actually related to diminishing vision, physical and/or cognitive abilities rather than age, but these things often go hand-in-hand.”

Currently people aged over 75 are classed as an ‘older driver’. They need a medical certificate from their GP at age 75, 80 and every two years after, to keep their driver licence.

Mr Noon says New Zealanders depend on their cars to access essential services and for family and social activities.

“For many of us, driving is necessary for a full and productive life. As you age, you still want to enjoy the benefits of independent mobility, and in fact it’s important for your mental health and well-being.”

Statistics show that drivers aged over 75 are involved in significantly fewer crashes than younger drivers, due to many factors including longer driving experience and that they drive less and walk more for shorter journeys. However, changes to this trend are anticipated due to social changes and the growing number of older people in society.

“Driving becomes more difficult and risky as you encounter health problems. And because you’re frailer, you’re more likely to suffer a serious injury if you are involved in a crash,” says Mr Noon.

“More must be done in New Zealand to educate and assist people so they can drive themselves safely for as long as possible. The type of help people need can vary greatly from one person to the next.

“We also need to make sure people hand in their keys when they really aren’t safe to drive and that there is viable alternative transport available for them. Currently, public transport is focused on commuters, which doesn’t always meet the needs of older people,” says Mr Noon.

Last year funding for New Zealand’s largest senior driver education programme, Safe with Age, was cut by the New Zealand Transport Agency because of low participation.

“It’s important that we replace Safe with Age as soon as possible and with support that really targets the needs of senior drivers,” says Mr Noon.

“The AA Driver Education Foundation believes that senior driver issues are best addressed by a collaborative approach, involving a wide range of stakeholders including senior citizen groups, public transport providers, government agencies, health professionals, driving instructors and family members. This is why we have invited a wide range of stakeholders to share ideas at this seminar,” says Mr Noon.

Elin Schold Davis – Keynote Speaker

Elin Schold Davis practises Occupational Therapy at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 2003, she has headed the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Older Driver Initiative.

For the past 10 years she has raised public awareness of issues related to senior drivers and advanced occupational therapy’s role in driving rehabilitation, with a primary focus on cognition. One project involves work with the University of Minnesota on an interactive driving simulation with cognitively impaired adults.

Ms Schold Davis has been invited to speak in Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington about US senior driver interventions and to demonstrate the US CarFit programme.

ENDS

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