**GAO-07-413**                      Published: Apr 11, 2007. Publicly Released: Apr 11, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

 

As people age, their physical, visual, and cognitive abilities may decline, making it more difficult for them to drive safely. Older drivers are also more likely to suffer injuries or die in crashes than drivers in other age groups. These safety issues will increase in significance because older adults represent the fastest-growing U.S. population segment. GAO examined (1) what the federal government has done to promote practices to make roads safer for older drivers and the extent to which states have implemented those practices, (2) the extent to which states assess the fitness of older drivers and what support the federal government has provided, and (3) what initiatives selected states have implemented to improve the safety of older drivers. To conduct this study, GAO surveyed 51 state departments of transportation (DOT), visited six states, and interviewed federal transportation officials.

 

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## Topics

Transportation

Driver educationDriver recordsDrivers' licensesElderly personsHigh risk driversHighway safetyHighway traffic control devicesHighway traffic control systemsPedestrian safetyProgram evaluationRisk assessmentSafety regulationSafety standardsStrategic planningSurveysRoad safety structuresInformation sharing