AMA Releases New Safety Guide for Older Drivers

It's not an easy conversation, but it's one that needs to happen - it's the discussion about when it's time for senior citizens to hang up their car keys. While a drivers license can symbolize independence, the fatality rate for drivers 85 years and older is nine times higher than the rate for drivers 25 to 69 years old. This rate is higher for two reasons: drivers age 75 and older are involved in significantly more crashes per mile driven, and they're considerably more fragile and likely to suffer a fatal injury in a crash than their younger counterparts.

Fortunately, the American Medical Association (AMA) has released a new Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers. The AMA encourages physicians to use the guide to make road safety a routine part of office visits for their senior patients.

The guide covers topics including screening, assessing functional abilities, handling evaluations and referrals, conditions and medications that may impact driving, addressing safer driving and counseling those who are no longer able to drive. Worksheets and resources for older patients and caregivers are also included.

To view the guide, click here.