By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
A recent spike in fatal and serious injury crashes involving older residents has Rice County traffic safety advocates planning additional ways to help ensure mature drivers stay safe behind the wheel.
All four fatal crashes and four of the 15 serious injury crashes recorded in Rice County this year to date involved those 65 and older.
“That’s telling us that we need to focus on older drivers,” Kathy Cooper, Rice County Safe Roads Coalition coordinator, told the Rice County Board of Commissioners during its Sept. 23 meeting.
While the aging process diminishes an individual’s’ reflexes, vision and strength, studies show that older drivers also tend to rely on experience and are much more likely to use safe driving habits like using seat belts, obeying speed limits and following the rules of the road to compensate than inexperienced drivers.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, senior citizens are more likely to be killed or injured in traffic crashes because they’re more easily injured and less able to recover from injuries. Intersections can cause elderly drivers trouble, especially when gauging the speed of traffic on the lanes they’ll cross.
Listen to the News:
“We’ve made it through the 100 deadliest days, but the last several years, September and October have also proven to be really high-ranking when it comes to the number of serious and fatal crashes. And so as we get into the fall season, everybody wants to get out and enjoy the last vestiges of the warm weather, but we need to do so in a safe way.” – Mike Hanson, Director of the MN Office of Traffic Safety, Audio Courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
To address the problems, the Rice County Safe Road Coalition, supported through a Toward Zero Deaths grant, hopes to again host CarFit clinics — a program of AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association — for mature drivers similar to the one held in Northfield last May. During a clinic, trained technicians review how an individual fits in their car, checking to ensure mirrors are properly adjusted and that the driver is the right distance from the pedals and steering wheel.
Other resources include the Safe Driving Guide for Drivers 65+. Which is available online here: https://bit.ly/SafeDrivingGuide. Published by the MN Department of Safety, it includes common myths about older drivers, such as the age when they should stop driving, how medical conditions can affect driving, and ways to help keep your mind sharp.
There’s also the Smart Drive Course from AARP, which is available both in person and online. Those completing the course may be eligible for an auto insurance discount. Learn more and find a course location near you at aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/locations
Hanson shared some reminders he tells all drivers:“Obey the speed limit and drive according to the traffic conditions. Never ever drive impaired whether it’s cannabis, alcohol or prescription drugs or whatever. If you feel different, you’re going to drive different. Never drive distracted. I still drive around far too often and see too many people interacting with their electronic devices.” – Mike Hanson, Director of the MN Office of Traffic Safety, Audio Courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
