Which car? Helping seniors choose the right vehicle

The question is, of course, why do seniors need more help choosing their cars? According to research done by the RACV, the number of elderly drivers is growing each year. Currently there are 585,000 drivers 65+ in Victoria alone and it is estimated that in the next 30 years this number will blow out to around 1.3 million.

With road safety research and crash statistics showing that older drivers are less likely to be involved in a crash compared to younger, novice drivers it would be easy to dismiss this as a problem. In fact, safety for older drivers is more important because as we become older we are more prone to injury during a crash, our bodies are frailer and more likely to sustain greater damage or even death, in an accident. Pre-existing health conditions also tend to exaggerate the level of injuries sustained and as we age, we are less able to recover from injuries, resulting in more complications, longer hospital stays and more rehabilitation.

Combining this with RACV research showing that the car is still the main mode of transport for those 65+, it becomes clear why car safety for seniors should be a priority for a person 65+ when buying a car. As Dr Ken Odgen, Manager RACV Public Policy explains, "With an ageing population the toll among older drivers could increase threefold in thirty years. Older drivers face more serious injuries because they are more frail, but if they were driving a car with a full range of safety equipment they stand a greater chance of surviving with reduced risk of injury."

Looking at cars on the road, most elderly drivers are driving cars that they have had for years and years. When looking at the safety of these cars compared to modern cars, these drivers are taking a big risk. "Fifty per cent of drivers aged 65+ are in cars ten years old or more and for drivers 75 years or more that increases to 62 per cent," explains Dr. Odgen. On the plus side, older drivers are driving larger cars. Dr Odgen says that drivers aged 55+ were likely to be driving a large family car – around 45 per cent - with only 31 per cent driving a small car.

So what should a senior driver be looking for in a car? The new booklet from the RACV has everything clearly explained. It is recommended that drivers 65+ try to buy as new a car as possible. New cars have more advanced safety technology such as crumple zones and impact absorption features that protect occupants in a crash. Of course, not all cars are as safe as each other, so check how well the car scores in crash testing. As mentioned above, larger cars are better. They give you more protection and have a greater capacity to absorb the crash force. Like everything, there are exceptions and in this case the exception is 4WDs, which do not often provide high levels of protection and can be difficult to manoeuvre.

An essential safety feature to look at is safety belts. They are the single most important means of preventing injury in a crash. You should look for the following features: Adjustable seat belt upper anchorage points allowing the seat belt to be adjusted to sit comfortably across the shoulder rather than on the neck; Load limiters that allow the seat belt to unreel gradually in the event of a crash reducing the effect of pressure on the wearer’s chest – one thing to remember is that load limiters are only available in cars with airbags; Seat belt pretensioners retract some of the slack in the belt when in a crash; Webbing grabbers prevent the belt from spooling out in the case of a crash, reducing the risk of injury.

Airbags are an important addition to any car. They significantly reduce the risk of head injury and contrary to misconceptions, those in Australia are made so they don’t react as violently as American airbags, which are designed to counteract the fact they do not wear seat belts.

It is also important to think about how the car handles. Power steering is of huge benefit for older drivers who do not have the strength or flexibility of movement to cope moving a car in a tight turn without power steering. Anti-lock brakes also help drivers to maintain vehicle control during an emergency breaking situation. Like power steering, it is important to look for a car with a small turning circle. In addition, it is recommended that older drivers get those ‘little extras’ when buying a new car. Things like audible alarms when fuel is low or when seat belts are not fastened; easy to read instrument displays; good visibility; lots of seat adjusters; and an adjustable steering column and pedals. These may seem like optional extras, but make a big difference in driver safety and ability on the road.

Before heading off to buy a new car, drop into your local RACV for a copy of this booklet. On the back, there is a checklist that you can take with you to help make sure you have looked at everything you should when buying a car if you are 65+. It is also a good idea to check the safety ratings of vehicles. Safety rating brochures are available from RACV shops and VicRoads offices or by phoning the RACV Motoring Advice Line on 9790 2190.

So finding the right car for senior citizens is a very important and weighty decision. "If everyone just bought the car the ANCAP crash test program said was the safest in its class we could reduce injuries and fatalities considerably," says Dr Odgen.