States Taking Closer Look at Aging Drivers

States taking closer look at aging drivers

June 13, 2004

BY VICKI SMITH

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- As Dorothy Wulfers sees it, only two minds are qualified to decide when it's time to give up the keys to her Buick LeSabre -- hers and God's.

Wulfers, 87, learned to drive a Model T Ford at age 15. Seven decades later, driving remains a simple pleasure, whether a morning run to Wal-Mart or a 112-mile trek to Parkersburg for afternoon tea with the women's club.

Her skills, she says, are as sharp as ever.

''If there would become a doubt in my mind, then I would give it up,'' Wulfers says. ''But I'm self-assured, I'm confident, and I don't see why I should.''

But increasingly, states are taking a look at motorists like Wulfers, concerned that vision, reaction time and other driving skills have diminished. At least 22 states have laws singling out older drivers for special attention; experts predict more as America grows grayer.

''It's one of the emerging issues with the aging of America, keeping people both safe and mobile,'' says Bella Dinh-Zarr, national director of traffic safety policy for AAA. ''But is legislation really the answer? No, because there's not enough information.''

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of Americans over 65 jumped 12 percent to more than 35 million.

California, Florida and New York have the highest numbers of older drivers. Florida, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have the largest percentage of people over 65 -- 17.6 percent, 15.6 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively.

Monitoring and assisting older drivers is an issue for every state, says DaCosta Mason, national coordinator of consumer issues for AARP. Unfortunately, he says, lawmakers often react to high-profile crashes without studying the science and seeking input from seniors.

''Research suggests that older persons are more likely to be involved in a crash,'' Mason says. ''The problem is we don't know at what age deterioration begins.''

Illinois and Rhode Island require road tests for drivers over 75 who want to renew their licenses, while 15 other states have an accelerated renewal schedule.

The most common tool is vision testing. In Virginia, drivers over 80 will get them starting July 1.

Mason says the AARP questions the nature of vision tests and who's conducting them, arguing that physicians are more qualified than counter clerks. Most vision tests fail to measure contrast and peripheral vision, both of which could be factors in an accident.

Dinh-Zarr says there are concerns about age-based testing. ''What's the right age? Is this the best use of resources? Who should do the testing?''

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