TRANSPORTATION: OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. ISSUES RELATED TO OLDER DRIVER AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

While the majority of Canadian senior citizens may not be considered mobility handicapped in the usual sense of the term, many find that the effects of the aging process limit their ability to get around as they used to. Reduced vision or problems with arthritis can make walking difficult and can force a person to give up driving. People who continue to drive although their abilities are limited have an increased likelihood of becoming involved in a car accident. Much work is being done in the fields of traffic safety and transportation in general to encourage mobility and independence for senior Canadians. This article reviews the issues and outlines the strategies that are being developed to deal with them. The article is divided into four sections. The first explains why safety for elderly drivers and pedestrians is an issue. Information is provided on the changing age structure in Canada and the importance of mobility, followed by a discussion of older people and the problems they face on the road. The second section addresses the age-related changes individuals often experience that can affect mobility. Third is a discussion of environmental factors that may have an impact on older drivers and pedestrians. The concluding section provides an overview of some possible countermeasures that could be taken by the elderly individual, urban developers, highway planning departments and others who are concerned about these issues.