Putting the brakes on older drivers.People over 65--the fastest growing segment of the population--are more likely to buckle up and less likely to drink and drive. Unfortunately, they also are more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than a middle-aged person, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a study by the AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. Foundation for Traffic Safety. They die not necessarily because of the severity of the crash, but more likely because of their frailty frailty Vox populi A state of delicacy or weakness which, which encompasses age-related fragility, in particular osteoporosis. See FICSIT, Osteoporosis. . The aging process not only causes a deterioration in eyesight eye·sight n. 1. The faculty of sight; vision. 2. Range of vision; view. , hearing and reflexes, but it also can lead to an increase in medical complications from injuries sustained in traffic accidents. Last summer an older driver killed 10 pedestrians as they browsed through a farmers' market farm·ers' market n. A public market at which farmers and often other vendors sell produce directly to consumers. Also called greenmarket. in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , Calif. The crash prompted legislatures, traffic safety organizations and other advocacy groups to examine the issue of older drivers. Many states already had some type of restriction. Although they vary, all relate to driver's licenses. Some states have accelerated renewals for people over a certain age to renew their licenses more often. Others require vision tests. Some prohibit renewal by mail for drivers over 70. Illinois and New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). require drivers over 75 to pass a road test. Over the last few years a handful of states have established task forces or study commissions to look into the issue of senior mobility. As part of a bill passed last year in Florida, the At-Risk Driver Council was established to research the issues facing older drivers. The council identified several areas that need continued research, including new assessment methods; alternative transportation options; law enforcement and health care provider training; and the creation of an action plan for older drivers. A similar committee in Oregon came to the conclusion that cognitive or functional impairments are a better way to assess driving ability than age alone. That prompted the legislature to create a work group of health care professionals to help the motor vehicle department identify impairments that are likely to affect the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. |
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