This month's cover features an elderly driver. She is one of the more than 40 million licensed U.S. drivers ages 65 and older-a group that has increased by 50% since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Older drivers are at risk for age-related deficits in vision and cognitive functioning that may impair their ability to drive safely; specific medical conditions associated with advanced age can also cause driving impairment. Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, for example, can hinder visual acuity, while conditions like stroke, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea can also adversely affect driving performance. Between ages 70 and 74, rates of involvement in fatal crashes begin to rise. The CDC says that on average, 16 older adults are killed daily in motor vehicle crashes, while 648 are injured.
For more on the specific driving risks faced by older adults, as well as information on how to raise patients' awareness of these risks, see this month's CE, "Can Your Older Patients Drive Safely?"-Diane Szulecki, editor