National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to carry out safety programs. Specifically, the agency directs the highway safety and consumer programs established by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Highway Safety Act of 1966, the 1972 Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and succeeding amendments to these laws. Dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety, NHTSA works daily to help prevent crashes and their attendant costs, both human and financial. Learn more.

NHTSA is the country’s leader on all issues related to public policy and older driver safety.

See the NHTSA web page dedicated to promoting older driver safety here.

NHTSA Announces New 5-Year Traffic Safety Plan and Guidelines for Older Drivers and Passengers
NHTSA – December 5th, 2013

NHTSA’S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM GUIDELINES

NHTSA’s Older Driver Highway Safety Program Guidelines are based on best practices around the country and include countermeasures that can be implemented to ensure the safety of older drivers, including at-risk drivers. The guidelines encourage state highway safety offices to work closely with driver license officials, state departments of transportation, medical providers and aging services providers, among others.

Guideline  No. 13 focuses on older driver safety and was published on December 5, 2013. See pages 24-32.

Click to open Highway Safety Guidelines.

This document provides state motor vehicle agencies with specific point-by-point recommendations on everything from road way design to license renewal.

Older Driver Safety

Click to read Guideline No 13 on Older Driver Safety.

Safety in Numbers, a NHTSA infographic released in December 2013 uses the most recent research on older driver crash risk, crash types, fatality rates, and common errors to describe what the data tells us about older driver safety. Click to open infographic.

News articles on NHTSA guidelines

An Alternative to Giving Up the Car Keys
The NY Times – December 13, 2013

As American Ages, Government Seeks to Improve Safety for Older Drivers
McClatchy Washington Bureau – December 12, 2013

Feds Making New Rules For Senior Drivers
USA Today – December 8th, 2013

Govt Plan Aims To Keep Older Drivers Safe On Road
Associated Press – December 5, 2013