December 2000

Safer Senior Mobility Stressed To State Leaders

On August 18, experts from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and Montgomery County government briefed state leaders at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) annual conference on the pressing need to provide safer mobility for Maryland's growing elderly population.

Citing the recently completed Baltimore Region Elderly Travel Study, Earl Long, Senior Transportation Planner at BMC, presented the realities of elderly travel needs in the Baltimore region and throughout Maryland. Increased longevity, combined with the large numbers of Baby Boom seniors expected to remain in their suburban homes after retirement, make driving and independent mobility a practical necessity.

According to Long, citizens 65 and over will soon make up more than 20 percent of the driving age population. He pointed out that 58 percent of all senior trips in the region are made by elderly drivers. Fully one-third of the region's seniors depend on other seniors, family and friends to transport them to widely dispersed destinations.

The BMC study showed that the largest percentage of senior trips are for social purposes such as visiting family or friends, dining out, recreational activities, religious services, or going to a senior center. These activities are closely linked to the overall level of life satisfaction and sense of self-worth among Maryland's senior citizens. Independent mobility is a vital part of senior life.

Dr. Robert Raleigh, M.D., Chair of MVA's Medical Advisory Board, described the state's program to ensure safe, independent driving for Maryland's growing elderly population. He pointed out that Maryland's program addresses the complex issues of health and motor skill changes related to aging, as well as prescription drug interactions in seniors. The goal is to allow seniors to drive as long as is practical and safe.

Dr. Raleigh emphasized that regulatory measures alone cannot effectively and equitably deal with age-related changes in driving skills. He stressed that ongoing education and remediation efforts are essential to empower seniors to cope with challenging driving situations.

Scott Wainwright, P.E., Montgomery County Traffic Engineer, pointed out that practical and affordable changes can be made to streets and highways that will make these facilities safer for all drivers, but especially senior citizens. Among the elderly-friendly engineering changes cited by Wainwright are improved traffic signs prior to intersections, more visible pavement markings, changes that simplify intersections, and improvements in traffic signals.

Wainwright underscored Dr. Raleigh's comments that elderly drivers must be educated to handle challenging driving situations, especially driving at night, during peak traffic periods, and in inclement weather. He added that state and local efforts to extend safe, independent elderly mobility must also be accompanied by transit and paratransit service enhancements.

This milestone MACO session stressed that cooperative efforts by the public and private sectors are essential to ensure that Maryland's aging population will enjoy independent mobility and pleasant living for many years after retirement.