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Introduction
Funding Sources & Major Contributors
Research
2009-10 Annual Report
Centers of Excellence Brochure (PDF: 2 MB)
"Owner's Manual" (PDF: 2 MB)
AAA Foundation CEO Bio
Although most older drivers are actually quite safe and pose little risk to other road users, some do face an increased risk of crashing due to declining physical or cognitive abilities or medical issues, and older people generally are more likely to be injured severely or killed if they are involved in a crash. As a result, the death rates of drivers begin to climb as drivers reach their mid- to late-sixties and seventies, and are similar to or higher than those of teenage drivers by the time they reach their eighties. Moreover, this age group is the fastest growing segment of our population. By 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65, and unless the risks facing older Americans are reduced, we will see a tremendous increase in serious crashes involving older drivers. Although many older people recognize their limitations and decide to limit their driving—or even stop driving altogether—there is often reluctance to stop driving in a society where quality of life often depends on independent mobility, and independent mobility depends on driving.
Our senior safety and mobility research program seeks to find ways to allow older drivers to continue driving for as long as they can do so safely, to find ways to identify drivers who actually are at increased risk of causing a crash, and to foster the development and implementation of additional mobility solutions for seniors who are no longer able to drive safely. The Foundation’s research has identified specific driving situations that are particularly dangerous for older drivers, evaluated the impact of a promising driver refresher program, and has brought together experts from around North America to discuss and debate elements of a model driver licensing system which would recognize and more effectively deal with the reality of an aging population.
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