NCJ Number
203169
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 55 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2003 Pages: 53-54,56
Editor(s)
Mike Terault
Date Published
September 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses issues regarding the challenges facing the enforcement and court adjudication of older unsafe drivers and innovations and emerging best practices for a more effective approach in handling older drivers and in protecting the public.
Abstract
Older (70 + years) drivers make up 10 percent of all licensed drivers in the United States. This same age group is involved in 13 percent of all traffic fatalities and 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds that older drivers are more likely to die in a crash due to their frailty than younger drivers. On a daily basis, law enforcement officers face the challenge of what to do with the unsafe older driver. Being tasked often with traffic issues or other criminal activity, law enforcement officers spend little time focusing on the older driver. Officers also tend to be more lenient with older drivers; in court, prosecutors may be inclined to dismiss a charge against an older driver. These past practices have had little effect on reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries of older drivers. Five recommendations are presented offering a more effective approach in the enforcement and adjudication of older unsafe drivers. First, effective information (referral process) should be provided on alternative transportation and social service options to the older driver or their family to assist in the transition from driver to non-driver. This use of the referral process by law enforcement becomes a positive community policing opportunity. Second, law enforcement should be consistent among all age groups. Thirdly, the establishment of partnerships with driver safety programs to refresh older drivers in traffic safety. Fourthly, it is imperative that officers receive continued training in elder sensitivity. Lastly, once the officer has decided to issue a citation to the older driver, the officer needs to feel confident that prosecutors and judges will recognize the serious risk involved in releasing an older unsafe driver back onto the road, and at the same time, match the offense with the appropriate sanction.