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<p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="5" color="#0000FF">Health
Matters</font></b></p>
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<font size="4">Miss Daisy Driving � Graying, But Still On the Go</font></span></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">Recent articles in the news are calling attention
to the issue of elder Americans driving. The tragic incident at the Farmer�s
Market in Santa Monica California last July has caused many to challenge the
rights of older citizens to continue to drive. It is important to examine this
issue from a non-biased, scientifically sound, and pro-active position.<br>
<br>
According to a study recently released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety,
drivers 85 and over were nearly four times as likely to die in a crash as were
middle-aged drivers. Drivers over 85 were 50% more likely to be involved in a
crash, and those over 65 were 25% more likely to be in a car accident than were
middle-age drivers. Bella Dinh-Zarr, the director of traffic safety for AAA,
stated that this study makes it clear that older drivers are more of a danger to
themselves than to others, and that they are much more likely to die in a crash.
Dinh-Zarr also pointed out that it is important that as a nation we look at ways
to help older drivers continue to drive safely.<br>
<br>
The AAA study suggested that older drivers are much more vulnerable to low-lit
roads, busy intersections, poorly marked lanes, and inadequate signage. One
third of all deaths occurred at intersections and in dark conditions. Given the
projection that by the year 2020 more than 40 million licensed drivers will be
over age 65, it would behoove Congress to address the problems associated with
this increase in accidents in older drivers, such as poorly lit and poorly
marked roads, and by making adequate funding available to insure safer roads,
and to support programs that address the needs of elder drivers. <br>
<br>
Programs are being developed across the country to address some of the problems
associated with aging and driving. A few factors that increase risk as one ages
are loss of hearing acuity, loss of visual acuity, chronic disease, and physical
impairment, and the effects of some medications. Here in Norfolk County, TRIAD
and the Norfolk County Sheriff�s Office is co-sponsoring, with AARP, an
educational program, Safe Driver, which is a refresher driving course for those
55 and older. This course involves no road test, but helps to make drivers aware
of those things that impact driving as one ages. The program is offered as a two
day course, four hours each day. Plans are underway to offer this program to
Needham residents, age 55 and older.<br>
<br>
Today�s seniors are living longer and are more active and mobile than ever
before. John Glenn�s space flight at age 77 is a testament to the abilities of
our seniors. Whether we address the challenges associated with an aging driving
population when it affects our parents, or we address it as we the Baby Boomer
generation enter our golden years, address it we must. There will be an ever
increasing number of elder drivers in the next 20 years. By developing programs
to assist seniors with problems encountered while driving, and making our roads
better lit, more clearly marked, and generally safer for all who use them, being
an older driver may continue to be a right that is enjoyed for many years.<br>
<br>
For more information on this subject, you can visit these web sites:<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/3-06-24aaa.htm">
www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/3-06-24aaa.htm</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.roadandtravel.com/safetyandsecurity/ts_seniordriving.html">
www.roadandtravel.com/safetyandsecurity/ts_seniordriving.html</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.seniordrivers.org/home/intro.cfm">
www.seniordrivers.org/home/intro.cfm</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.helpguide.org/aging/senior_citizen_driving.htm">
www.helpguide.org/aging/senior_citizen_driving.htm</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/LawEnforcementOlder�/massachusetts.htm">
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/LawEnforcementOlder�/massachusetts.htm</a></font><p style="margin:1 5; text-indent: 0; " align="justify">
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For further information on this or other health related topics, call us at the
Needham Health Department at 781-455-7523 </font><p style="text-indent: 0; margin-top:1; margin-bottom:1" align="left">
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