GEICO offers tips to keep drivers safe through their golden years

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–By the year 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) estimates more than 40 million drivers will range from age 65
and older. After teens, this population segment has the most road
fatalities because older drivers are more susceptible to serious
injuries according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To help keep senior drivers safer, GEICO
recommends these tips.

• Get your eyes checked: The American Optometric Association
  recommends individuals 61 and older get comprehensive annual eye
  exams. As people age, their eyes can often change, creating the need
  for glasses. An eye exam can also detect other vision changes, such as
  issues detecting objects in low light or impairments such as cataracts.
• Know your limits: If you struggle to see in low light, consider
  cutting back on night driving. Similarly, if physical conditions like
  arthritis become aggravated from sitting in the car for long amounts
  of time, try limiting your time behind the wheel to shorter road trips.
• Know your state’s rules: In a number of states, drivers older
  than a certain age must renew their licenses more frequently. For
  example, drivers in Hawaii and Iowa need to obtain new drivers
  licenses every two years past age 72. To learn your individual state’s
  rules, visit this table
  from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Be mindful of medications: Some medications may have impairing
  side effects that could affect the ability to drive. Talk to your
  doctor before starting a new medication to make sure it won’t
  jeopardize your safety behind the wheel.

If you have a senior driver in your family, a time may come when you
have to look at drastically limiting their driving or discontinuing it
altogether. Look for some of the following signs recommended by AARP to
determine if you should have a conversation about stopping driving.

• Frequent close calls or near accidents
• Dents and scrapes on the car
• Getting lost in familiar areas
• Delayed reactions to unexpected situations
• Repeatedly receiving citations or warnings from law enforcement

Seniors also can brush up on safe driving techniques by taking a defensive
driving course. In addition to becoming a safer driver, many states
will allow a discount on select insurance coverages after an individual
takes a defensive driving course.

GEICO
(Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire
Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger
auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in
1936, provides millions of auto
insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to
serve more than 13 million private passenger customers, insuring more
than 22 million vehicles (auto & cycle).

Contacts

GEICO Communications
301-986-3271
gcorpcomm@geico.com
To
view GEICO’s Blog: http://blog.geico.com/