Recently we have witnessed an increase of traffic road accidents involving older drivers. Accordingly more and more voices are being heard about stricter legislative measures controlling the driving abilities of people of advanced age.

The problem concerns everybody. It is about the safety of the senior drivers but as well about the safety of all road users.

Asking older drivers to give up their keys is not an easy issue. Driving cessation means significant loss of independence and autonomy. The consequences for old people are indeed serious.

However deficiencies and diseases that are common among people of advanced age are the cause of an increased risk of traffic crashes. Additionally medicaments that old people very often have to take could because of adverse effects impair furthermore their driving abilities.

Nevertheless technology could play a key role in extending the age at which people could safely drive on our roads. Technology could significantly help senior drivers to drive for longer time and more safely.

Developing technologies in this field concentrate on two different areas. The first is to take over to a certain degree the driving task from an older driver. The second is concentrated more on providing better in-car information systems that could help the advanced age driver to drive more safely.   

You will find more information on this interesting research in the article Harnessing new technology to support older drivers that you will find attached with our 68th Progressive Newsletter.

This promising new research could provide solutions that will make the driving of old people more safe. This of course will not only improve their quality of life by providing them with more confidence, independence and autonomy but it will as well increase the safety of all road users.

Takis A. Haggiandreou
Director
 

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