NHTSA PUBLICATIONS ON AGING DRIVERS

NHTSA publishes a variety of documents that may be useful to law enforcement officers interested in senior driver topics. Copies are available at the NHTSA online catalogue: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/index.cfm. Some of them are described here.

Driving When You Have… (Cataracts/Glaucoma /Macular Degeneration, etc)
Description: These brochures include information about symptoms of the medical condition they cover, how this condition may affect driving, suggested steps drivers might take to increase their driving safety if they have this condition, and relevant resources for drivers with this condition. Physical ailments addressed by this series are: cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, sleep apnea, seizures, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease. They are intended to be discussion tools between patients and their doctors. The brochures were developed with NHTSA partners to help drivers, especially when making decisions about ability, risk, and safety. This may be particularly relevant for older drivers seeking to maintain mobility after being diagnosed with one of these conditions.

Safe Driving for Older Adults
Description: This booklet is designed to help older adults determine if physical and mental changes have affected their driving skills. The booklet is written at a easy-to-read level with a large type font, and provides helpful tips about what senior citizens can do to deal with these changes so they can remain safe drivers for as long as possible. Child safety seat and seat belt guidelines are also included for older adults who drive with children or young adults.

A Compendium of Law Enforcement Older Driver Programs
Description: This resource guide of older driver programs was developed to assist law enforcement agencies identify viable programs and provides partnership information addressing positive community policing methods as they relate to older drivers. This guide provides numerous examples of enforcement programs, strategic planning and problem oriented policing approaches.