Rice County is stepping up its efforts to keep mature drivers safe on the roads after a concerning uptick in crashes involving the elderly, some of which have been fatal or resulted in serious injuries. Kathy Cooper, Rice County Safe Roads Coalition coordinator, highlighted the urgency of this issue to the Rice County Board of Commissioners, noting that all four fatal accidents and a significant portion of the 15 serious injury crashes this year involved individuals aged 65 and over, as Rice County's official newsflash reported.
Despite older drivers' tendencies to adhere to the rules of the road more vigilantly than their younger counterparts, recognizing their physical limitations, the fact that they are more easily injured and take longer to recuperate from injuries puts them at an increased risk on the streets. Particular difficulties arise at intersections, where estimating the speed of oncoming traffic remains a challenging task for many elderly drivers, according to studies mentioned by Rice County's news outlet.
In a bid to address these concerns, the Rice County Safe Roads Coalition, benefiting from a Toward Zero Deaths grant, aims to host CarFit clinics, described in the same release, which help mature drivers adjust their vehicle settings for optimum safety and comfort, with the previous event in Northfield drawing positive reactions. These clinics involve thorough assessments by trained technicians to ensure drivers are correctly positioned in relation to pedals and steering wheels to minimize fatigue and sluggish reaction times that increase crash risks.
Resources continue to be made available for older drivers, including an updated "Safe Driving Guide for Drivers 65+ and Families" provided by the Minnesota departments of Health, Public Safety, and Transportation, which can be accessed online, the guide dispels common misconceptions about elder motorists such as fixed age stopping points for driving, their guide can also be understood to elaborate on how certain medical conditions might impair driving while suggesting strategies to keep cognitive abilities honed. Furthermore, AARP offers a Smart Drive Course, both in-person and online, with the bonus of potential auto insurance discounts for participants. Those interested should visit aarp.org for additional details and course locations, as indicated in the published newsflash.
