In an increasingly car-centered culture and economy, it's not that simple, she says. You can't just take away their licenses. That could be catastrophic because mobility is very important to us, and removing that mobility can be emotionally and economically devastating. Our study for DOT identifies what puts elderly drivers at higher risk. This is an important tool for educating policymakers and the elderly alike who may not realize some of the conditions that lead to crashes, injuries and fatalities.
Education is very important.
Society has a responsibility to find ways to alleviate the risks resulting from fundamental demographic changes. For men and women, the more miles that are driven, the higher the risk. Hu added that driving more miles and the use of antidepressants are the two most influential risk factors for men, indicating that men using those medications need to be better aware of the risk and regulate their driving accordingly. On the bright side, elderly drivers often recognize their diminished skills and take steps to compensate. Many don't drive at night or in bad weather.