We as Iowans value the independence of getting around in our own vehicles and staying connected with our families and communities. The majority of older Iowans enjoy a more active, healthy and longer life than previous generations.
Freedom of mobility shapes our quality of life. With aging, driving becomes an increasing concern for older Iowans and their families. How we deal with changes in our driving ability and, eventually, choose when and how to retire from driving, will affect our safety and our quality of life
The crash rate for older drivers is related to physical and mental changes associated with aging. Compared with younger drivers, whose vehicle crashes are often due to inexperience or risky behaviors, older driver crashes tend to be related to inattention or slowed perception and response, are often multiple-vehicle events that occur at intersections involving left-hand turns and the older driver’s failure to heed signs and yield the right-of-way. At intersections with traffic signals, left-hand turns are a particular problem for the older driver; at stop-sign-controlled intersections, older drivers may not know when to resume driving.
Guthrie County Treasurer Marcia Kindred says if a driver 80 years and older is involved in an accident, that driver is required by law to be re-tested for licensing purposes. The driver will go through the same testing procedure as if they were 14 years old, which includes taking the written test, the driving test and the eye exam.
Adair County Treasurer Brenda Wallace says all examiners are required to attend continuing education training sessions sponsored by the State of Iowa every 6 months. Here the examiner receives training so they can better understand the constantly changing procedures placed before them by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Among other things, we are trained to look at the driver’s personal behavior while also noting their health condition. Examiners don’t want to deny anyone the privilege of driving, no matter what their age may be. Safety is our first consideration Treasurer Wallace added.