The DriveWell Program

Colleen  Campbell

Senior Injury Prevention Program Coordinator – Alameda County Public Health Department

Topic:  The DriveWell Program

Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. There were 18.9 million older licensed drivers in 2000—a 36 percent increase from a decade earlier. By 2020, it is estimated that more than 40 million older Americans will be licensed drivers. Not only will there be more drivers, but they also will drive more miles per year than previous generations, and will drive at older ages. Baby boomers have long enjoyed the freedom to drive their cars for work and for pleasure, and most likely, they will continue to use them as they age. Many older adults rely heavily on the automobile for transportation because public transport systems don’t provide the ability or flexibility to take them where they want to go, when they want to go. 

Although many older adults can continue to drive safely for years, others may experience declines in vision, memory, physical strength, reaction time and flexibility that affect safe operation of vehicles. By improving their physical health, by learning compensatory strategies, or by training and using adaptive equipment, many older adults can continue to drive safely longer.

Video Recorded April 18, 2012