Ohio state agencies partner to keep older drivers safe and on the road

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) are reminding Ohioans about programs available to prevent accidents among older drivers.

This week marks Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (ODSAW). 

In Ohio and nationwide, people aged 65 and older are the fastest growing segment of drivers.  According to crash data from ODOT, older drivers make up 23% of all traffic fatalities in the last three years.

This year's theme for ODSAW is "understand, be proactive, plan" stressing Ohioans to support older drivers in driving safe.

It's important for older drivers to understand their cars configuration to best suit them.  This includes the fit of their seatbelt, visibility and knowledge of vehicle controls.

OTSO has been working to expand an educational program developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association. It's called CarFit and it aims to improve older driver safety and comfort behind the wheel.

You can find a CarFit event near you by clicking here.

Ohio offers many resources to keep older drivers proactive and planning their future in driving. This includes helping older drivers adopt safe driving strategies and helping them "retire" from driving.

These resources can be found on this link.

ODOT's Older Road User Emphasis Area team has recently developed a new tool for law enforcement to identify drivers with cognitive impairments. 

The Driver Orientation Screen for Cognitive Impairment (DOSCI) asks nine questions related to person, place and time. They are then given a score that determines if they need further screening from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The ODA offers tips and resources to help older drivers maintain their driving abilities and discussing the topic with family. It also helps in the search for transportation options.

You can visit this link for more help with planning to drive safety as an older driver.

Some other tips offered for older drivers include staying aware of changing physiological conditions, staying off the road when medical conditions inhibit driving, drive on good weather during the day, plan your route and exercise safe driving habits.