The senior population in Missouri is on the rise. While older adults bring lots of experience to the roadway, many of them face physical changes that may cause delayed reaction time, drowsiness and trouble judging distance or speed while driving. In response, MoDOT has launched a new pilot program to educate Missourians about mature driving and mobility options.

The older driver intervention program is a joint effort between MoDOT, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Society on Aging.

Missouri is a prime testing ground for this program as individuals 65 years of age and over account for nearly 15 percent of the state’s licensed drivers. In the last three years, older drivers were involved in 16 percent of fatal traffic crashes and 13 percent of the serious injury crashes. The program aims to help improve older driver safety and encourage seniors to use transportation alternatives when they must limit or stop driving.

“It’s important for mature drivers, as well as their families and physicians, to understand that growing older doesn’t always mean giving up driving,” said Jackie Rogers, state project coordinator. “However, it may mean making some changes in how and when you drive.”

The program includes a core set of five programs: 

• DriveWell Toolkit – materials used in communities to conduct educational programs on older driver safety and community mobility.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Law Enforcement Module – an educational course for law enforcement agencies on aging issues and why they should be aware of these issues in relation to their duties.
• Assessing and Counseling the Older Driver – a workshop for physicians and health care professionals on how to assess and counsel older patients on medical fitness for driving.
• CarFit –a program designed to provide a quick but comprehensive check of how well you and your vehicle work together.
• Roadwise Review – a computer program used by older drivers to identify potential health and fitness issues that could hinder their driving ability.

MoDOT will introduce these programs in the cities of Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis over the next year. If the pilot program proves successful, it will be used as a model for other states.

“Spreading awareness and hosting informational programs about mature driving and mobility is important in every community because it will help reduce traffic crashes and save lives,” Rogers said.

For more information on mature driving, visit www.modot.org.