Traffi c safety class promotes safe driving among older adults

SEAL BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT

by Katya Lukina

Section Editor

In the state of California, 4.8 million of people are 65 or over. Seventy-five percent of them are licensed drivers.

On Nov. 4, nearly 30 residents attended an afternoon Safe Drivers Course in Clubhouse 4, facilitated by James Dowdell, a Seal Beach police offi cer with 23 years of service. Dowdell said that the sessions were part of a resident pilot program, which could be held quarterly, semiannually or annually. Its goal is to share the latest updates on driving requirements for older adults and to promote safe driving in LW community.

Dowdell added that during the three years he’s patrolled the streets of LW, he hasn’t witnessed a single collision, and the highest speed he ever detected within the community was 39 miles per hour.

“A lot of people are afraid to attend the events like this because psychologically they think they are fine,” said one Mutual 2 resident. “I’ve learned some valuable tips that were costructive and easy to understand,” she added.

Officer Dowdell covered the following topics and encouraged the attendees to raise their hands to answer and ask questions.

Aging and driving under the infl uence. In older adults, certain conditions and age may impact their ability to drive. They include cognition, vision, strength and mobility, and medications and medical conditions. Studies show that two-thirds of the drivers aged 65 and over take five or more daily medications.

One-third of all traffic fatalities involve a driver impaired by an alcohol, which can also intensify effects on medications. Older adults process alcohol more slowly, whereas even a little drink can make them unsafe drivers.

When it comes to the use of marijuana, studies show that people aged 50 and over are 20 times more likely to it for both medicinal and recreational use. Cannabis is the second most linked drug to impair driving and is

Residents gathered in Clubhouse 4 for a traffi c safety class led by Seal Beach Police Offi cer James Dowdell.

Katya Lukina DRIVER SAFETY

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the most difficult to predict when it comes to side effects. Dowdell said that currently, there is no way to gauge impairment when pulled over, which makes it even more dangerous.

Make your physician a driving partner.

Primary care physicians play a leading role in older drivers’ lives. “Make them your partner in driving safety,” said Dowdell. He added that health changes, current medications and side effects are not the end of the world and should be discussed with a primary doctor.

At-fault crash factors. According to statistics, 40% of fatal crashes involving drivers aged 80 and over occur at intersections. Unsafe speed, improper turning, automobile right-of-way, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and unsafe lane changes can all be a deciding factor in a severity of an accident.

Safe driving strategies. Those include safer left turns by using signals, being more cautious while driving on a freeway, and following a three-second rule and self-regulating. Dowdell said that the ability to stop on time, also known as a three-second rule, depends on two components— perception time and reaction time. It offers more buffer zone and allows the driver to stay in his or her “safety bubble.” He also shared a couple of driving tips. First, don’t put on a turn signal too far away to help avoid accidents. Drivers should signal their intention to turn at least 100 feet before doing so. And second, in case of a missed left turn, consider going to the next intersection and making three right turns. It may seem like a setback but can reduce the chance of a crash.

Self-regulation. In older adults, night blindness is a common symptom of an underlying condition. People can limit their driving to daylight hours and fair-weather conditions, avoid freeways and plan their trips during the non-rush hours.

Driving distractions. According to studies, a large number of accidents take place in residential neighborhoods. Drivers should pay close attention to pedestrians, skateboarders, cyclists, scooters, motorcyclists and animals and most importantly, stay off their phone. The use of a cell phone while driving creates the biggest visual, manual and cognitive distraction, making the driving a secondary task. In parking lots, watch out for pedestrians, other vehicles, tight stalls, shopping carts and while backing up. Dowdell added that same rules and traffic laws apply to cyclists. He also encouraged residents with handicap placards to take them down while driving, as they can obstruct their view and lead to a citation.

Triggering behaviors. Aside from being distracted, driving too slow or too fast, following too closely, ignoring the driving courtesy and not changing lanes safely can trigger a road rage aggression. In case of a road rage, Dowdell advised to stay alert, don’t engage and call 911. The California Highway Patrol will respond to a call on road rage within 30-40 seconds and pull over the driver. Depending on severity of the incident and jurisdiction, the DMV may require them to retake a driving test.

Plan your trips. “Get directions, check traffic, be aware of alternate routes and share your location with others when planning a trip,” said Dowdell. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule, being aware of the features of your vehicle, and paying attention to a hand placement on the steering wheel can also make a difference. The recommended hand placement on a steering wheel is at the 9- and 3-o’clock positions, with the hands on opposite sides of the wheel. Dowdell recommends 8’ and 4’-o’clock placement or

lower, to allow the air bags to deploy without causing an additional injury in case of an accident. The driver’s chest should be positioned 10-12 inches away from the steering wheel, with chin at or above the steering wheel.

Blind spots and rear-view cameras. Always check the blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Don’t rely on the camera view only, check the surroundings and back up slowly.

Always wear a seat belt. Fifty percent of all fatal crash victims were not wearing seat belts, which can affect the air bag deployment. Improper wearing of a seat belt can also cause injury.

DMV licensing information for drivers aged 70 and over.

The DMV requires an in-person vision test at the DMV, and no longer requires the drivers over 70 years old, whose license expires in 2024 and beyond, take a written knowledge test when renewing their license.

This requirement is a policy and not a law, and a part of the DMV’s effort to streamline office visits. The DMV can then issue a limited term or restricted license based on test results.

People can access free documents, handbooks, practice examinations and Senior Driver Ombudsman Program (hearings, restrictions, re-examination, statewide contacts), by going to www.dmv.ca.gov.

Re-examination referral.

Re-examination referrals take place due to the driver’s deteriorating driving skills, and/or declining mental and physical health. This can involve a written or driving test and medical evaluation.

Possible results may lead to no changes, driving restrictions and a suspension or revocation of a license.

Transitioning from driving.

In general, older adults outlive their driving abilities in about 7-10 years. People should transition from driving and explore other options such as public transportation, ride share and taxis, volunteer services, family and friends, if they experience:

• Near or close call crashes

• Unexplained dents and scratches

• Getting lost, even in familiar locations

• Troublemovingfootbetween pedals

• Difficulty turning to look while backing or changing lanes

• Other drivers honking or gesturing at you

• Familyandfriendsexpressing concerns

• Beingstoppedbylawenforcement People in question of their driving abilities should speak to their primary physician about a referral to the driver rehab specialist who can evaluate their driving skills, provide retraining, or prescribe the adaptive equipment. To learn more, visit www. AAA.com or www.chp.ca.gov.

Before deciding to continue driving, people should always put safety first, and consider vehicle improvements and changes in driving environment. Safe driving is judged by ability, not age, and is a privilege granted to those who follow the rules.