Family and Friends Concerned about an Older Driver

Sterns, Harvey; Sterns, R.; Aizenberg, R.; Anapole, J. · 2001 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This 2001 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) addresses the challenge of identifying and intervening with older drivers whose functional declines make them unsafe to drive. The research was motivated by the recognition that blanket age-based licensing requirements are discriminatory and imprecise, while periodic screening of all older drivers is costly and inefficient. Instead, NHTSA explored whether family members and friends, who routinely observe driving behavior, could serve as effective triggers for identifying at-risk drivers and facilitating safe driving cessation. The study aimed to determine the feasibility of involving these social networks in intervention and to develop guidelines and materials to support them. The research employed a multi-method design conducted by Creative Action, Inc., the Beverly Foundation, and the National Mobility Institute. It included a comprehensive literature review on family involvement and caregiving, a mail survey of seven states to identify current reporting regulations, and surveys of professionals to determine resource needs. Crucially, the study conducted six focus groups with 50 participants in St. Louis, Missouri, and Akron, Ohio. These groups comprised concerned family members (spouses and adult children), friends, and professionals working with at-risk older drivers. Participants were screened for their concern regarding an older driver with functional limitations such as dementia, vision disorders, or other medical conditions. An expert panel also provided input on interventions. The findings identified that the highest-risk older drivers are often males with conditions like dementia or declining vision who lack awareness of their disabilities and have limited family contact. Family members and friends are capable of recognizing unsafe driving through functional indicators such as forgetfulness, confusion, aggressive driving, and vehicle damage, often before a medical diagnosis occurs. However, intervention is frequently hindered by cultural norms prioritizing independence, a lack of support from authority figures like physicians and law enforcement, and insufficient alternative transportation options. While family members often attempt to intervene independently by removing car keys, they desire formal support from healthcare providers and licensing agencies. Professionals reported a need for better tools and guidelines to assist families. The report concludes that involving family and friends is a viable strategy for improving older driver safety, provided that systemic barriers are addressed. It recommends a comprehensive social marketing campaign to normalize intervention and identify signs of unsafe driving. Additionally, it calls for federal and state policies mandating reporting and retesting, the development of functionally appropriate driving assessments, and the establishment of regional driving assessment clinics. The authors also emphasize the need for improved, customer-focused alternative transportation services and stronger alliances between insurance companies, DMVs, and healthcare providers to support older adults in transitioning away from driving safely.

Key finding

Family members and friends are capable of recognizing unsafe driving behaviors in older relatives and are motivated to intervene, but they face significant barriers including lack of support from authority figures and insufficient alternative transportation options.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 50

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• older driver retraining
• older drivers
• parental management
• mci dementia driving
• public messaging
• fitness to drive assessment