David J. Swarts, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, announced the launch of the Department’s “Resources for the Older Driver” web site on Thursday, October 15.
“The DMV wants to keep New York State motorists driving for as long as they can safely do so,” Swarts said. “To help make this possible, we aim to keep our senior drivers knowledgeable, skilled and up-to-date on the resources available to them to help them drive more safely. This new web site will be a valuable resource for both older drivers and their families.”
The new site offers safe-driving tips and information about DMV services for seniors, their families, advocates and the public. Links and phone numbers to government agencies and community-based services can also be found on the site.
It is designed to be a “living document,” and will include traffic-safety documentaries, interactive videos and related articles of interest to older drivers, according to DMV.
People can also learn about Car-Fit, which is an educational program created by the American Occupational Therapy Association, that can help older adults determine how well their personal vehicles “fit” them.
There are presently 11.3 million licensed drives in New York State and roughly 84 percent are people aged 50 and over. The percentage of older drivers is expected to increase as the “baby boom” generation collectively achieves senior status.
By 2015, 25 percent of the group will be over 60 years old; by 2030, all baby boomers will be over the age of 65.
People age 85 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the older population, and drivers age 85 and older have about the same crash rate per miles traveled as 20-24 year olds, according to figures.
Under Swarts, the DMV established the Office for the Older Driver in 2008, to promote the needs of senior drives through educational tools that support traffic safety.
For more information, please visit the Resources for the Older Driver web site at www.nysdmv.com/olderdriver, the DMV web site at www.nysdmv.com, or the Traffic Safety Committee web site at www.safeny.com.
