An estimated 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65 by 2030. While more and more public transportation options are being developed and implemented in various parts of the country, many senior citizens still rely on their own driving abilities to get around safely. That being said, senior citizens often face a unique set of challenges that make it more important than ever to invest in a car that’s safe and reliable. Here are just a few safety features all seniors should consider when shopping for their next vehicle.
Advanced Airbag Technology
There are approximately 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year, and airbags have saved countless lives during these accidents. For extra safety, however, it’s ideal to invest in a vehicle that has not only front airbags, but side, rollover, and knee airbags, which can further prevent injuries and fatalities during even severe accidents. For maximum airbag protection, experts recommend getting an SUV that comes with airbag curtains, which deploy from the top of the door rails on top of the side window. SUVs are also ideal because of their larger size and heavier weight. you may be worried about gas consumption, as well. The global specialty gases market is forecast to surpass $14 billion by 2026. Gasoline isn’t considered a specialty gas, but even though SUVs and larger vehicles typically use gas faster, they offer significantly better protection than smaller vehicles.
Professional Fitting
Though not necessarily a car ‘feature,’ it benefits all seniors who are actively driving to ensure that they’re properly fitted into the driver’s seat. Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives, and though it may seem logical to simply adjust the seat based on the most comfortable position, there’s actually a specific set of guidelines drivers should follow when it comes to being safely fitted in the driver’s seat. And luckily for seniors, that service is available through a unique 12-step program.
“The people at CarFit, a free program sponsored by AAA and AARP, use a 12-step plan to help seniors fit in their cars better. They find that many of the seniors they evaluate sit too close to the steering wheel (59% of seniors make this mistake), have improper side mirror adjustment (32%) and are sitting at the wrong seat height (21%). They hold community events all over the country and will adjust seniors for free,” writes Julyne Derrick on aPlaceforMom.
Simplistic Layout
Finally, while these features are designed to maximize driver safety, distracted driving could still pose an issue for overly complicated vehicles or inexperienced or easily distracted seniors. If this is even a slight concern, make sure the vehicle you choose doesn’t have more bells and whistles than you really need to keep you safe. For example, many vehicles come with not just a backup camera, but other screens for entertainment purposes. Most drivers don’t need this, especially seniors, so save your budget for features intended to improve safety that you’ll actually use or directly benefit from.
Lane Departure Warning System
Finally, this innovative piece of technology has been implemented as an advanced safety feature on many newer vehicle models. It’s essentially a sensor that triggers whenever the vehicle drifts from the lane. Experts say this type of collision avoidance technology can reduce the rate of injury crashes by 21%.
Ultimately, it’s important to do your homework when it comes to selecting the right vehicle and safety features for you.
