Restricted Driver’s Licenses Promote Safety While Protecting Independence

Talking about stopping or limiting driving with older adults is often a very difficult discussion that can fill seniors with fear that they will lose their independence and social connections but with growing numbers of seniors on the road, implementing strategies to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians is becoming more pressing.  By 2030, more than 60 million older adults will be on the road in the United States and in Canada, more than half of drivers polled plan to keep driving past the age of 80.

A recent study, funded by Canada’s AUTO21 Network of Centers of Excellence, examines how effective restricting driver licenses is at reducing the number of traffic violations and crashes among drivers over the age of 55 while helping older adults retain their independence and quality of life.   With the current demographics, there is expected to be a major increase in the number of older drivers over the next 20 years.

Using study databases from research published between 1980 and 2015, researchers found that because healthy older drivers usually drive shorter distances in safe conditions, they are generally considered safe drivers.  But when health or physical function problems interfere with driving performance, older adults have a higher risk for traffic violations and accidents.  Using restricted driver’s licenses for older adults with one or more chronic health condition can help promote safety while protecting mobility. 

Physicians are often asked to evaluate medical fitness to drive for older adults.  In Canada, doctors use the Canadian Medical Association Driver’s Guide to evaluate if, for example, an older adult should limit their driving to daylight hours or within a certain distance from home.

In the United States, driving rules for older adults vary by state but many require a vision test each year over the age of 65 with renewals granted only in person, not by mail.  Some states require a doctor’s certification that drivers are medically fit to drive beginning at age 70.  And in cases of chronic illnesses including Parkinson’s Disease or Alzheimer’s, restricted licenses may be granted on a one year basis only.   Learn more about driver license renewal procedures by state by following this link to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website.

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