AAA Names Car Features "Smart" for Older Drivers

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Dec 02, 2013, 12:01 ET

AAA's list helps "silver tsunami" match health concerns with helpful vehicle features

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seniors shopping for a new ride can find "smart" features in today's cars that help alleviate a variety of age-related health conditions that typically challenge older drivers, according to AAA. Nearly 90 percent of motorists 65 and older suffer from health concerns that affect driving safety, for example, lack of flexibility and muscle strength. To help inform seniors about smart car choices, AAA's automotive experts reviewed more than 200 2013 model year makes and models to identify features that better equip seniors for driving safety and comfort in an update to Smart Features for Older Drivers.

"Although older Americans are healthier now more than ever before, the aging process can diminish a person's vision or limit range of motion that could impact their driving," said AAA Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research, Jake Nelson. "The good news is that AAA found that more than 200 vehicles have one or more smart features that can help the aging driver deal more effectively with these conditions."

To help underscore the need to improve older driver safety as 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, AAA originally launched Smart Features for Older Drivers in partnership with the University of Florida's Institute for Mobility, Activity and Participation in 2008. In the recent update, Smart Features lists 2013 vehicle features that optimize older driver safety and comfort, notes current vehicles with those features, and allows users to explore their individual needs through an interactive online widget [SeniorDriving.AAA.com/SmartFeatures] at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

Because everyone ages differently, AAA advises older drivers to look for vehicles that address their specific needs and medical conditions. Recommendations included in Smart Features for Older Drivers, include:

Condition:	Feature:	Why it's smart:
Limited knee range of motion; Hip or leg pain	Six way adjustable seats	Less strength to adjust, Easier to enter and exit car
Arthritic hands; stiff fingers	Keyless entry and ignition	Reduce amount of grip strength
Diminished fine motor skills	Thick steering wheel	Reduce pain associated w/ twisting and turning
Diminished vision; problems with high-low contrast	Displays with contrasting text	Reduce blinding glare

"A 2012 survey revealed that only one in 10 senior drivers with health issues are driving a vehicle with features like keyless entry or larger dashboard controls that can assist with such conditions," said Nelson. "AAA's goal is to empower older drivers with information that can help keep them safer behind the wheel."

AAA is announcing the Smart Features update in support of the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, December 2-6, 2013. This week aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active in the community—shopping, working or volunteering—with the confidence that transportation will not be the barrier stranding them at home. You can learn more about the AOTA here.

For more information on which vehicles are the right fit for you and to access all the free resources AAA offers to senior drivers, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high-resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at NewsRoom.AAA.com

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SOURCE AAA