Coinciding with the start of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and other state officials, today announced a new website. This new tool is designed to help senior drivers stay on the roads safely or ease into other transportation options.
“We know that right now 19.3 percent of the population is 65 and older and as the baby boomers peak, there will more than one out of 5 drivers, by 2030 will be on our roads.”
That’s Michigan Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson. She says the resource unveiled today is to help the aging driver considering residents 65 and older comprise the fastest growing segment of the state’s population. The Safe Drivers Smart Options: Keys to lifelong Mobility website was officially launched today.
“It gives help to aging drivers so that they can stay on the road as long as possible. It’s also for family members so they can assess whether their parent or grandparent is still safe on the road.”
The website provides information about warning signs and self-screening tools as well as finding classes and training and strategies for mature drivers. The website also engages healthcare professionals and law enforcement to better evaluate aging driver’s needs. Johnson says it can be difficult when the time comes for seniors to stop driving… She cites her own experience.
“My mom is 88 years old and I called my sister and brother one day, when I was accidentally following her on the highway and realized that her eye-hand coordination and her judgment wasn’t what it used to be. It was very difficult.”
The Safe drivers, Smart Options website can be found at Michigan.gov/aging drivers.
