Aarp driver safety survey: perceptions and attitudes of drivers age 50+ in california, new york, and texas

Many drivers age 50+ in California, New York, and Texas have been driving for decades, and hence carry with them a breadth of knowledge and experience.  Yet, with age, our minds and bodies

may change in ways that can impact driving.  Additionally, both the roads and vehicles have changed over time, making it important for drivers to refresh their knowledge and skills.   The

AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is a driver refresher course designed for older drivers.  It serves to fine tune driving skills, update drivers on the rules of the

road and offer strategies that one may apply in the context of a changing driving environment.   Hence, to understand the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of active and experienced 50+

drivers, AARP surveyed drivers in each state who met the following criteria: * Are age 50 and older, * Have been licensed to drive for 20 or more years * Are currently licensed to drive in

their state, * Drive at least once a week; * And have not taken a driver safety course within the last 10 years KEY FINDINGS * DRIVING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE 50+ DRIVER.  * DRIVERS

RECOGNIZE THAT THE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT HAS CHANGED OVER TIME.  This reinforces the need for a driver refresher course. * RESPONDENTS WERE PRESENTED WITH SIX STATEMENTS THAT DESCRIBE POSSIBLE

MIND AND BODY CHANGES RELATED TO AGING THAT MAY IMPACT DRIVING.  SEVEN-IN-TEN (73%) RESPONDENTS AGREE THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CHANGES.  The changes that respondents

were most likely to report experiencing include not seeing as well as they used to when driving at night and noticing a decrease in reaction time. * WHEN IT COMES TO BASIC RULES OF THE

ROAD, THE 50+ DRIVER IS KNOWLEDGEABLE.  With decades of experience, the respondents surveyed were knowledgeable about select rules of the road that were tested. * RECEIVING AN AUTO INSURANCE

DISCOUNT, MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE AND BECOMING A SAFER DRIVER ARE IMPORTANT REASONS TO TAKE A DRIVER SAFETY COURSE.   The RDD sample of 50+ residents of each state was drawn at random from

the United States adult population in telephone households.   The interviews were conducted in English by Woelfel Research, Inc. from July 15 to July 30, 2014.  The results from the study

were weighted by age and gender.   For more information, contact Sarah Conroy at [email protected].