Senior Drivers Fail to Make Life-Saving Vehicle Adjustments
Nearly 90 percent of older drivers do not make inexpensive adaptations to their vehicles that can improve safety and extend their time behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Simple vehicle accessories like pedal extensions, seat cushions and steering wheel covers can help to improve safety by reducing a senior driver’s crash risk. Due to their frailty, seniors aged 65 and over are twice as likely as younger drivers to be killed when involved in a crash. “While statistics show seniors are safe drivers, they are also the most vulnerable,” said Ed Welsh,Regional General Manager, for AAA Northeast. “Our research suggests that most senior drivers are not taking advantage of simple and inexpensive features that could greatly improve their safety.
AAA researchers investigated 12 vehicle adaptations and found that fewer than nine percent of senior drivers reported using any of the devices in their vehicles. Some of the inexpensive devices that can be purchased and put to use in new or existing vehicles are:
| Vehicle Device | Potential Safety Impact |
| Cushions and seat pads | Improves line of sight and can help alleviate back or hip pain |
| Convex/ multifaceted mirrors | Improves visibility and minimizes blind spots |
| Pedal extension | Helps drivers obtain a safe distance from the steering wheel/airbag and optimize visibility |
| Steering wheel covers | Improves grip for drivers with arthritic hand joints |
| Hand controls | Allows the driver to perform all vehicle maneuvers and functions without the use of lower extremities |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Occupational Therapy Association recommend drivers consult with a trained technician to guide them in making adjustments to their vehicle.
Vehicle adaptions also benefit seniors’ mental health by extending their time on the road. Previous research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that seniors who have stopped driving are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression and nearly five times more likely to enter a long-term care facility than those who remain behind the wheel.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit member service organization with 62 offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island providing more than 5.7 million local AAA members with roadside assistance, travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.