Senior Citizens to Use Seatbelts and Take up Safety Driving Classes

According to Alan Smith, the Bedford County Area Agency on Aging Director, it is a tremendous privilege for senior citizens to be able to drive. “Older people have repeatedly said it would be devastating, it would be terrible to lose their driving license”, he added just before the National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week started.

Allen D. Beihler, PennDOT Secretary, believes that it is important to strike the right balance between road safety and the mobility of older drivers, especially since 16 per cent of the state drivers are over the age of 65. “Driving is a privilege; however, the loss of that privilege can be devastating for an older driver who is not prepared to accept the change”, Beihler said.

The senior drivers are encouraged to wear seatbelts. Also, new safety driving courses have been initiated especially for senior drivers. Elderly drivers are encouraged to take up these driving classes which also offer a five per cent reduction on insurance premiums.

Almost 22 per cent of the car crashes in the state involve senior drivers. Therefore, too much is blamed on the elderly. Smith said, “What we have seen is that there are drivers that have been more willing to recognize their limitations and are willing to voluntarily restrict driving first.”