Educating Older Drivers

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Educating Older Drivers Listening Session for
the White House Conference on Aging Policy
Committee Theme Transportation Hosted by the
Committee on the Safe Mobility of Older Persons
(ANB60) of the Transportation Research Board
January 8, 2005 Washington, DC Frank
Carroll Director AARP Driver Safety Program
Mobility Options 202-434-6007 fcarroll_at_aarp.org
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AARP Driver Safety Program

• The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nations
  first and largest classroom driver refresher
  course especially designed for drivers age 50 and
  older.
• 66 million drivers age 50

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2004 Volunteer/Graduate SurveyMethodology

• Volunteer Survey was mailed to all of the 10,000
  volunteers in April 2004,
• 32 response rate
• Graduate Survey was mailed to a sample of 10,000
  recent graduates in May 2004,
• 35 response rate,
• 1,500 provided name and address

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• What it is (now)?
• 8 hour classroom course (generally taught in 2
  four hour sessions)
• Cost 10.00
• 5 versions of the course in 25 years
• Designed to
• Update driving knowledge.
• Sharpen driving skills.
• Help compensate for normal age-related physical
  changes.
• Reduce traffic violations, crashes, and
  resulting injuries.
• Drive more safely of many more years.

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• 11 chapter participant workbook
• Chapter One Getting Started
• Chapter Two Judging Yourself
• Chapter Three Physical Changes
• Chapter Four Potential Trouble Spots
• Chapter Five Aggressive Driving/Road Rage
• Chapter Six Safety Considerations
• Chapter Seven Driver Guidance
• Chapter Eight Your Vehicle
• Chapter Nine Intersections
• Chapter Ten The Freeway
• Chapter Eleven Driving Retirement
• 30 minute course video

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(No Transcript)
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Source 2004 AARP Driver Safety Program
Volunteer and Graduate Survey Report
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• Who they are?
• 700,000 participants a year (1 of drivers 50)
• Average age 72, female
• Highly satisfied
• 9.5 million participants to date
• Average of 186 classes each day
• 59,000 average graduates a month
• 33,000 courses in 2004

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• Who we are?
• 11,000 volunteers
• Average of 71 years old, male
• 3.1 million volunteers hours given
• 10 levels of volunteers

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• What impact do we have?
• Direct, Indirect, Policy
• Increased confidence
• 76 have taken the course 2 times or more
• 92 report they changed at least 1 driving
  habit as a result of taking the course
• 63 reported what they learned helped them
  prevent an accident
• Volunteers and participants stay with AARP
  longer
• 45.5 million in insurance savings

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Sources 2004 AARP Driver Safety Program
Volunteer and Graduate Survey Report
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Source 2004 AARP Driver Safety Program
Volunteer and Graduate Survey Report
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Changes in Behavior Changes as a Result of Taking
Course

• The top five behaviors that were changed as a
  result of DSP were
• Always checking your blind spots
• Following distance and space cushion
• Paying more attention when entering or exiting
  highways
• Yielding right of way
• Being aware of where you park

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Source 2004 AARP Driver Safety Program Volunteer
and Graduate Survey Report
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Educating Older Drivers Why AARP?
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• AARP Social Impact Goal
• People 50 will have independence, choice, and
  control in ways that are beneficial and
  affordable for them and society as a whole.

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• Americans 50 are able to sustain mobility as
  they age because
• Individuals retain their driving competencies and
  competent drivers retain their driving privileges
  to the maximum extent possible.

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(No Transcript)