Savings & Safety for Senior Citizen Drivers in Winter

Multiple state government departments hosted an event today highlighting resources for Pennsylvania’s senior citizen drivers.

Of Pennsylvania’s 9.1 million licensed drivers, over 25% are over the age of 65.

“The driving career of mature drivers is longer now, and most drivers want to stay in their cars, and take themselves to the places they want to go, when they want to go.”

Older, or ‘mature’, drivers have gained a lot of life wisdom— but when it comes to driving, they have often lost some depth perception, quick reflexes, and a general need for speed. For Ronald Sharp, an 81 year old who attended today’s event, being honest about how age impacts you keeps yourself and others on the road safe.

"When I was 40, I could handle 60 or 70 mile an hour and traffic coming and moving close very easily,” Sharp said. "Now that's a delayed process, and it's very scary to get onto the highway— tractor trailers all around and moving at that speed.”

There is a plethora of resources available to help keep senior citizens confident in their driving skills, up to date with the law, and comfortable with new technology. For example, approved mature driver courses through PennDOT can give a refresher on laws and safety tips.

The top three causes for crashes with senior citizens involved in the Commonwealth are improper and careless turns, going through stop signs, and going too fast. 

Courses through groups like AAA and AARP often review those crash causes and how to avoid them, go over new assistance technologies to make sure older drivers can take advantage of the features, and even help them adjust steering wheels and raise or lower their seat if they want help getting a ‘car fit’.

Overall, safer driving for seniors often means being strategic.

“Do you want to go get milk in the middle of a torrential downpour? You know, pick and choose the intersections you're going to,” Hawkins said. “Try to think about when to go.”

Past safety, seniors also have more opportunities to save on insurance policies.

If anyone over the age of 55 takes an approved mature driver course, they can get 5% off their auto insurance. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department gave several tips on other ways that seniors can save on their monthly premium.

For retired seniors, there might be the chance to remove wage replacement from their policy, as well as adjust how many miles they drive on average and if those miles are commuter or pleasure.