Driving Habits of Senior Drivers

Driving Habits of Senior Drivers SURVEY Many seniors are involved in car accidents & don't have monitoring devices yet few want to give up the keys.. Have you ever been in an accident when you were driving? Older drivers make up 11% of all the drivers on the road, according to data by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. What's scary is that even though they're a small per- centage, the crash rates involving seniors are high- the Cen- YES (My fault) 16% ters for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in YES (Not my fault) 2008, 15 elderly drivers were killed while 500 were injured every day. Although most of these accidents were not the driver's fault, it's a warning sign for seniors to be more careful on the road. 75% 09% NO When buying a car do you look for any particular technologies that help mature drivers? 57% 13 24% 01% 02 03% NO, I don't look YES, Blind Spot Warning System YES, Crash Mitigation System YES, Reverse YES, Assistive YES, Drowsy for any of it Monitoring System Parking System Driver Alert These technologies are not only useful while driving, but can help save you money on your insurance premiums. The TOP FIVE in-vehicle technologies picked by our respondents are PM 1. Reverse 4. Crash Mitigation System 5. Assistive 2. Blind Spot Warning System 3. Drowsy Driver Alert Monitoring System Parking System Would you switch to a car insurance that offers benefits and discounts to senior drivers? If yes, what benefits would you prefer? No, I will not switch. No, I get senior discounts on my current insurance policy 40 percent said they would consider switching if offered insurance discounts and benefits like First Accident Forgive- ness, 12-month Rate Protection, Lifetime Renewability and New Car Replacement. 40 Yes, I'd prefer New Car Replacement Yes, I'd prefer First Accident Forgiveness 20 Yes, I'd prefer Lifetime Renewability Switching can save you money! 14 10 11 o- Yes, I'd prefer 12-month Rate Protection 05 Are you aware that physical exercise can be beneficial to your driving ability? YES (I am aware and I exercise on a regular basis) 43% YES (I am aware and I sometime exercise to keep myself moving) 18% 39% · NO (I am not aware) YES NO | 65% I 31.31% | 86% 1 04.04% | 35% 68.69% | 14% 95.96% Do you check with your doctor or pharmacist about how medications can affect Do your thoughts wander when you drive? Do you take regular eye exams to keep your vision at its sharpest? Do your family members express concern about your driving ability? your driving ability? | 29% I 30.30% 81.63% I 09% | 71% 69.70% | 18.37% 91% Do you think that you are slower than you used to be in reacting to dangerous driving situations? Does traffic situation Do you try to stay informed on changes in driving highway laws and regulations? Do intersections bother makes you angry? you because there is so much to watch from all directions? YES, but not driving YES, and still driving NO Are you suffering from any of the following diseases and still driving? Diabetes Alzheimer's Arthritis Sleep Apnea Glaucoma 90.72% 100% | 65.66% 90.72% 94.79% | 00% 00% 01.03% 02.02% 00% 01.04% 08.25% 32.32% 09.28% 04.17% When asked if they were suffering from illnesses like Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Alzheimer's, Arthritis or Glaucoma and still driving, most said they were not. However, 32 percent of respondents said they had arthritis and continued to drive. At what age would you give up the keys? 01% 00% 01° 36% 62 I don't drive By 60 years At the age Before I Till I die anymore of 70 turn 80 The question that is often the subject of debate – When should older drivers give up the keys? – has been answered by the drivers themselves. Not before we die, say the majority while 36 percent say they'll give up the keys only when they turn 80. GENDER AGE AUDIENCE 50.56% 38.20% 45-60 Years Above 60 Years 49.44% 61.80% HOUSEHOLD INCOME EDUCATION $0 - $24,999 Less than high school degree 9.20% 0% $25,000 - $49,999 17.24% High school degree 5.62 % $50,000 - $99,999 32.18% Some college 30.34% Associate or bachelor degree $100,000 - $149,999 12.64% 31.46% $150,000+ 28.74% Graduate degree 32.58% LOCATION (CENCUS REGION) 25% 23.86% 19.32% 20% 17.05% 15% 12.50% 9.09% 10% 7.95% 4.55% 5% ------ 5.68% 0% New England Middle Atlantic East North Central West North Central South Atlantic East South Central West South Central Mountain Pacific The survey was not all grim news when it came to the driving habits of seniors. Here are a few of the posi- tives that were revealed. ANALYSIS 82 percent are aware of the benefits that physical exercise can have towards driving ability and follow some kind of exercise routine to remain physically fit to drive. 65 percent said they have regular meetings with their physician to check if the medication they are taking affects driving ability. 86 percent said they have regular eye exams maintain vision. 71 percent said they remain calm even in difficult traffic situations. 81 percent try to stay informed on changes in driving laws and regulations. Older drivers, get a driving retest done and regular checkups to monitor your driving ability. Even if you have to give up the keys, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy life. Your safety is far more important than your car!