Safe Driving

People age 50 and older make 92 percent of their local trips by private vehicle. The vast majority of them hold a driver’s license. Over 90 percent of adults age 50–64 drive, as do 80 percent of those age 75 and older. People age 65 and older have higher traffic fatality rates than younger people. And among older people in 2022, the traffic fatality rate was the highest for people age 85 and older. In recent years, pedestrian deaths have increased for people of all ages. Still, they have disproportionately affected older adults, people of color, and people with low incomes.

Safe Systems Approach: The U.S. Department of Transportation has adopted the Safe System Approach for their National Roadway Safety Strategy, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users (see also Livable Travel Environments). This approach anticipates human mistakes and designs a transportation system that can accommodate those mistakes to avoid serious injuries or death.

Over 42,000 people were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, a 29 percent increase from 2013. This is a slight decrease from 2021, which saw the highest number of fatalities since 2005. In 2022, speeding was a contributing factor in 29 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities—38 percent of which were caused by intoxicated drivers. And according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2.4 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. In addition, crashes cost Americans $340 billion in 2019.

Despite these concerning statistics, trends are improving for drivers age 70–79, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2020, drivers in this age range were less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers age 35–54. Drivers in their 70s also had fewer police-reported crashes per mile traveled than middle-aged drivers.

Speed management programs help reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Officials help manage excessive motor vehicle speed by setting and enforcing appropriate speed limits, including through the use of speed and red-light cameras on high-risk roads. Doing so can also improve the livability of a community. This is because speeding vehicles can also deter walking, bicycling, and other alternatives to driving (see also Livable Travel Environments).  

Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a serious problem. It is a factor in up to 12 percent of all vehicle crashes. In 2022, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 3,308 fatalities and 289,310 injuries. Experts suspect that these statistics may underestimate the role of distraction in fatal crashes.

There are myriad driver distractions, from using a cell phone, to eating food, to talking to passengers. Although all distractions can compromise safe driving, texting on a smartphone or other device is especially alarming because it involves all three primary types of distractions:

• visual: taking your eyes off the road,
• manual: taking your hands off the wheel, and
• cognitive: taking your mind off driving.

Drivers who use handheld devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Driver surveys show that two-thirds of motorists report using cell phones while driving, and one-eighth of them report texting while driving. Putting in place measures to decrease distractions, such as enforcing a ban on texting while driving, helps promote safe driving. Many states have responded to the call to ban texting while driving. As of 2024, 29 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories have banned handheld personal electronic use for all drivers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of the remaining states ban texting by drivers.

Older driver licensing: Most states and the District of Columbia include specific licensing provisions for older drivers. However, dangerous drivers can be of any age. It is more appropriate to assess all drivers’ ability to be safe on the road rather than specifically targeting older drivers. Specific licensing provisions for older drivers can include requiring any or all of the following:

• more frequent license renewal,
• in-person license renewal,
• medical certification, and
• additional testing (such as vision, knowledge, or road tests).

Identification of at-risk drivers: States typically have measures in place to identify at-risk or unsafe drivers of all ages. These measures include regular vision testing or self-reporting of medical conditions. Additional testing may be required before such drivers are issued or allowed to renew a driver’s license. They may also be issued a driver’s license with restrictions, for example, permission to drive during the day but not at night.

In addition, all states allow certain individuals to report concerns about potentially unsafe drivers to motor vehicle departments. Further screening is then conducted to determine whether a person can drive safely. In fact, in many states, motor vehicle department personnel are trained to identify individuals who may need further testing. Typically, states provide liability protections for those who report concerns in good faith. It is important that the reporting system recognizes that unsafe drivers can be of any age. Training related to reporting should focus on functional limitations, not age.

State laws vary as to whom may report and whether reporting is mandatory. In all states, family members and physicians may report an individual for further screening. Some states also allow law enforcement personnel and friends to make reports. In a handful of states, medical professionals—such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—are required to report potentially unsafe drivers. A concern with this approach is that mandatory reporting could affect the relationship the patient has with the provider. Patients might be reluctant to disclose potentially concerning symptoms for fear of losing their driver’s license, particularly if they live in a community with few alternatives to driving (see also Livable Travel Environments).

Medical professionals, family members, and friends who are concerned about someone’s driving abilities, regardless of age, can talk to the person and provide resources. In some cases, drivers may be able to address functional impairments to enable them to drive safely.