DOVER, Del. (Dec. 3, 2024) — The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is rolling out the “Drive Safe Seniors” initiative focused on motivating drivers aged 65-plus and their loved ones to work together to prevent crashes. OHS is launching the campaign during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 2–6, 2024) and will continue the initiative throughout 2025. It will be highly educational and give senior drivers, and their loved ones, a deeper understanding of age-related driving issues. In addition, the initiative will provide these audiences with tips and tools for taking meaningful action to prevent seniors from getting behind the wheel when it is no longer safe for them to do so.
There are many practical and emotional considerations involved in potentially restricting or stopping a senior from driving. OHS has developed a campaign to address common issues and make it easier for families to identify the necessary steps. The campaign will provide education and information on how age-related health changes can affect driving skills, how certain medications may impair driving, and other signs that a senior’s ability to drive safely may be diminishing. Additionally, it includes tips for loved ones and caregivers on how to have those “tough conversations” with seniors, as well as suggestions to help maintain their independence and mobility without relying on driving.
“By the year 2030, approximately 25% of Delaware’s population will be over the age of 65. That’s a significant number of people who, with every passing year, may experience age-related health changes that impact their safety behind the wheel,” said Sharon Bryson, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “OHS understands there is no single answer for making our roadways safer, but there are some options when it comes to aging drivers. Some people may need to limit their driving by only driving during the daytime and avoiding busy rush hour time frames. Others may have to make the challenging decision to stop driving altogether while some will be able to continue with their routine driving habits.”
This is not the first time OHS has implemented tactics to increase senior driver safety. “Drive Safe Seniors” introduces several new elements to increase effectiveness:
- Outreach will target approximately 25 ZIP codes identified with a significant population of senior drivers.
- OHS will continue with the “Drive Safe Delaware. Love Your Neighbor.” branding to provide compelling, cohesive messaging that unites all OHS safety campaigns.
- Communications include social media ads, grassroots partnerships, and organic social media.
- The OHS ArriveAliveDE.com website offers important steps that seniors and caregivers can take to increase driver safety.
- ArriveAliveDE.com also offers a quiz to engage seniors, family members, and caregivers in learning and working together when it comes to safe driving.
Statistics and Influences
According to recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 older adults are killed in crashes each day in the U.S. In 2020, approximately 7,500 older adults were killed in traffic crashes, and nearly 200,000 older adults were treated in emergency departments for crash-related injuries. In addition, drivers aged 70-plus have a higher crash death rate per 1,000 crashes than middle-aged drivers.
In Delaware, between 2019 and 2023 there were 23,024 crashes involving drivers aged 65 and older. Of those crashes, 104 resulted in driver and passenger fatalities. This accounts for 25% of all fatalities during those four years. There were also 203 serious injuries to drivers and passengers.
According to OHS, age-related changes that can contribute to compromised driver safety include:
- Stiff joints and muscles
- Vision problems
- Diminished hearing
- Slower reaction times and poorer reflexes
- Less strength, changes in weight/posture/stature
- Worsening memory and decision-making skills
Signs a Person May Need to Limit or Stop Driving
Considerations for seniors
- Have you experienced a near miss or crash recently?
- Have you been advised to limit/stop driving due to a health reason?
- Are you overwhelmed by road signs and markings while driving?
- Are you taking any medication that might affect your driving?
Consideration for loved ones
- Have you noticed new dents or scratches on their vehicle?
- Have they received a ticket for a driving violation?
- Are they getting lost on routes that they should be familiar with?
- Do they make erratic movements while driving?
Additional Information and Resources
The ArriveAliveDE.com website offers extensive resources for the “Drive Safe Seniors” initiative. The site includes information and tips from OHS, the Delaware DMV’s self-assessment test for senior drivers, resources on defensive-driving programs and alternative transportation options from AAA, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s resources for caregivers.
About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
