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 Some older drivers simply cannot be "rehabilitated" -- the phrase used by driving experts. Drivers who continue to be a danger to themselves and others on the road for various reasons, most notably due to medical problems that impair driving ability to dealing with a collision; from awareness about how changes in health might affect driving ability to antilock braking systems., and dementia associated with cognitive impairment and lack of insight leading to loss of decision-making skills.
In 2003 about one in seven licensed drivers was 65 or older. By 2029, that proportion is expected to rise to one in four drivers, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute. There is, no doubt, a strong consensus on the desire to find more efficient and cost effective ways to serve the travel needs of older persons. Over the next 30 years the population percentage of seniors is expected to increase in California as elsewhere, and by 2030 almost 27% of the population is projected to be 55 or older, with 17% aged 65 or older.
Statistics on Older Drivers:- Accidents are the third leading cause of death for males in the United States, but only the seventh leading cause of death for women. Drivers 50 years old and older are involved in no more traffic crashes than middle-age drivers until approximately age 75. However, drivers in this age group are involved in more crashes than middle-age drivers. Stiell et al 2001 had showed that patients with age greater than 60 years old tend to have significant intracranial injury than those are younger and they were at higher risk of developing brain injury following even minor head injury.
- According to NISU nearly half of unintentional fall injuries occurred in older people aged 65 years and over (49%). The highest rate of fall injuries occurred in females aged 85 years and over, with an age-specific rate of 8,803 per 100,000. The rate in males aged 85 years and over was 5,531 per 100,000. Fairly even numbers of males and females were injured by unintentional falls, but the majority of female cases were aged 65 years and over (35% of all fall injuries). Only 14% of male fall cases were aged 65 years and over.
 - When "miles driven" is factored in, drivers age 75 and over have much higher crash rates, almost as great as drivers 16 to 24.
- A study co-authored by a University of Virginia professor suggested that drivers 65 and over killed in car accidents were significantly more likely to die of a chest injury (47.3 percent vs. 24.0 percent in the youngest group) and they were more likely to die at a date after the crash date ('delayed death'). Despite driving at lower average speeds than younger and middle-aged drivers, and a greater likelihood of wearing seatbelts, older drivers were more likely to be injured or die in an accident than younger drivers.
- Driver deaths are markedly higher after age 65, due in part, to older bodies being less able to recover from the forces involved in a crash.
American Automobile Association (AAA) worked with the University of Florida (UF) and National Older Driver Research and Training Center (NODRTC) to identify the many vehicle features that can optimize safety and comfort for seniors. These features may be specifically helpful based upon specific conditions or limitations. Some of the recommendations included in Smart Features for Mature Drivers include: - Adjustable pedals: With a push of a button, the driver can adjust the accelerator and brake pedals, a feature especially helpful for petite drivers to reach the pedals while ensuring they are a safe distance (about 12 inches) from the airbag mounted in the steering-wheel hub.
- Large knobs and buttons with contrasting text: Audio and climate controls with large features and contrasting text are easier to see and manipulate, and thus less distracting.
- Power Mirrors: Power mirrors are easier to adjust for drivers with limited strength or arthritis.
- Large/wide-angle mirrors: For those who have difficulty turning or twisting to look to the rear when changing lanes or backing up, large wide-angle mirrors can improve visibility.
- Visors and Extendable Visors: Visors that extend to protect drivers from glare are most important.
- Power-operated, 6-way adjustable seats: These require less strength to adjust. At a minimum, the seats should offer six-way adjustment: forward and backward, up and down, and seatback forward and backward.
- Seat Height: The ideal seat height is between mid-thigh and lower buttocks. A low-slung sports car may look snazzy, but it requires extra strength and flexibility to get into and out of the vehicle. Likewise, a tall SUV requires extra effort to climb up into a seat.
- Low Door Threshold: Low door thresholds, or "sills" make entry and egress easier, reducing the need to lift the leg over the threshold.
- Heated Seats: Heated seats can help improve comfort for drivers with back pain.
- Lumbar Support: Lumbar support can help improve comfort for many drivers, especially those with back pain.
- Four doors: Though not as sporty, four-door models make entry and exit easier, especially if the car has a rear seat. Two-door cars also have longer, heavier doors, requiring more strength to open and close.
- Keyless entry: Operated by a push-button on the key fob, this feature is good for those with arthritic hands who find it painful to twist a key.
- Keyless ignition: Utilizing a dash-mounted push-button instead of a traditional key, keyless ignition is beneficial to those with stiff or painful fingers who find it difficult to twist the ignition key.
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel: The extra adjustments help the driver find a safe distance from the front airbag, as well as a comfortable position that alleviates knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder pain.
- Thick Steering Wheel: Thicker steering wheels require less hand and write strength to grip and handle.
- Adjustable Seat Belts: Adjustable seat belts assist drivers in reaching for buckling/unbuckling the seat belt. It also helps drivers find a comfortable position for the belt.
- Proven Crashworthiness: A new vehicle should exemplify proven crashworthiness based upon crash test and rollover ratings available at www.safercar.gov and www.iihs.org/ratings.
- Adjustable head restraints: This type of restraint moves forward to cushion the head if the car is hit from behind, helping reduce neck injuries.
- Brake assist: Like the term implies, brake assist helps the driver generate enough force during emergency braking to stop the car in time to prevent a collision.
- Anti-lock brakes: ABS prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking, helping the driver retain steering control and eliminating the need to "pump" the brakes, an action that might be challenging for some older drivers.
- Side/side-curtain airbags: Side airbags protect the torso, pelvis and head. Older, frail adults - more prone to death or injury in crashes than younger people - may especially benefit from additional airbags.
- Dual-stage/dual-threshold airbags: The airbag inflation force varies based on driver/passenger weight, distance from airbags and crash severity. This is important for frail adults who may be injured by airbags that deploy too hard.
- Stability-control: This feature helps prevent loss of control in a turn, especially on slippery roads. It's particularly beneficial to older drivers with slowed reaction times, because it automatically makes quick corrections to keep the car on course.
- Since most crashes by older drivers occur at intersections better road designs with protected left turns at signals would reduce crashes not only for older drivers but drivers of all ages.
- Stricter requirements for license renewal for drivers beyond a certain age, but since age only is not a reliable indicator of a crash susceptible driver, a screening process should be developed to identify at-risk drivers. All the efforts which will restrict driving for older population should be done so that there is no decrease in elderly mobility and more attention should be given on protecting older drivers while they drive.
Some states have made efforts to target older drivers:Maine requires a vision test after a driver's 40th birthday and at every second renewal until age 62, then annually. Illinois requires driver's license applicants 75 and older to take a road test. In Georgia, licenses can be denied if drivers fail the vision test. Some state legislators have also discussed whether senior citizens should take a road test in order to renew their licenses. They contend driving abilities may diminish with age. Overall, 72 percent of those surveyed think it's a good idea to give road tests every three years to drivers over age 70 - but only 28 percent of those questioned think those tests should be taken by all drivers.
AAA and UF experts also suggest all mature drivers consider proven crashworthiness, antilock brakes, head restraints to reduce the risk of neck injuries, dynamic stability control to help prevent loss of control in a turn, and side and dual-stage or dual-threshold air bags that inflate based on the severity of the crash, lowering the risk of injury if airbags deploy with too much force. Warning signs: ARE YOU A SAFE DRIVER? - Doesn't observe signs, signals or other traffic
- Needs help or instructions from passengers
- Is easily frustrated or confused
- Frequently gets lost, even in familiar areas
- Drives at inappropriate speeds (too fast or too slow)
- Exhibits poor road position or wide turns
- Has accidents or close calls
Driving safety courses for seniors:Mobility being able to go where you want when you want is important to a good quality of life. The physical and mental functional skills needed for safe driving; explain driver self-awareness through self-assessment; help seniors identify driving impairments and areas in need of correction; present strategies to help accommodate change which accompanies the aging process; discuss self-regulation of driving; and explain when its time to transition from driving.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Driver Safety Program, an eight-hour refresher course for drivers age 50 and older, will be held twice in April in Helena. The course includes updates on the rules of the road and vehicle safety features are provided about normal age-related physical changes; statistics on traffic crashes involving older drivers; and driving strategies to adapt to the effects of aging and to reduce chances of having a crash.
Scheduled AARP Driver Safety Program will be held at various locations throughout Richland County during the spring, summer and fall session. The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom refresher course for motorists age 50 and older. The class is taught in two four hour sessions on consecutive days. The co-instructors are AARP-trained volunteers.
AAA also has created pamphlets with information on ways medications can affect driving abilities, safety features available for vehicles and ways to maximize vision. The program and pamphlets should be available at local AAA branches within weeks.
In conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association, NODRTC develops a model training program and field-work site for therapists to learn the skills necessary for working with older drivers. Ref.:www.aaaexchange.com
www.helenair.com
www.canada.com/
www.www2.highlandstoday.com
www.venturacountystar.com
www.dot.state.oh.us
www.dmv.ca.gov/
www.medic.usm
www.nisu.flinders.edu.
www.virginia.edu/
www.accessmylibrary.com 
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