Earlier this month, Road to Zero hosted a webinar focused on the data behind older driver safety, the importance of alternative transportation options as a means of contributing to reduced fatalities, and the tools and resources available for professionals working in older driver safety. Featured speakers included National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), USAging National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, Road Safe Seniors (ChORUS), and Florida’s Safe Mobility for Life Coalition Program.
NHTSA’s Highway Safety Specialist, Taylor Bee, opened the discussion with a national perspective, including a review of older driver statistics and the national focus on improving traffic safety for older adults. NHTSA presented topics such as transportation planning for older adults, data visualization tools, and NHTSA’s supporting resources.
Project Director for ChORUS, Jane Rath, shared information about ChORUS - a national clearinghouse of information for older drivers, state driver licensing agencies, medical professionals, social and aging service providers, family members/caregivers, and law enforcement professionals. Some of the resources shared included using ChORUS state information pages to identify alternate transportation services available in each state and transportation planning tools and information to help plan for the mobility needs of aging Americans.
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is a program of USAging. Virginia Daze, Director of Transportation for USAging, spoke to the importance of a person-centered approach, technical assistance and information, training, communication and outreach, coordination and partnership, and investment in community solutions. NADTC helps older adults and people with disabilities plan for their transportation future.
Gail Holley, Safe Mobility for Life Program Manager, closed the webinar with a presentation of the strategies and approaches being applied in Florida to ensure safe mobility for older adults. The information included their strategic action plan, their messaging plan (the three keys to achieving safe mobility for life), the data the program collects, their stakeholders, how Florida residents will get around without being a driver, and Florida’s Guide to Safe Mobility for Life.
There were several Links from the Chatbox shared with resources for professionals working with older driver safety. These resources are available for all professionals from various audiences, including those who work as law enforcement professionals, state driver licensing agencies, caregivers, and medical professionals.