FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced the launch of the Department's "Resources for the Older Driver" Web site.

"The DMV wants to keep New York State motorists driving for as long as they can safely do so," Commissioner Swarts said. "To help make this possible, we aim to keep our senior drivers knowledgeable, skilled and up-to-date on the resources available to them to help them drive more safely. This new Web site will be a valuable resource for both older drivers and their families."

The new site offers a full range of safe-driving tips and information and DMV services for seniors, their families, advocates and the general public, as well as links and phone numbers to government agencies and community-based services. The site is designed to be a "living document," and planned additional features include traffic-safety documentaries, interactive videos and related articles of interest to older drivers.

Presently, there are a total of 11.3 million licensed drivers in New York State and 42 percent are over 50 years of age. Persons aged 50-64 hold 2.8 million driver licenses and represent about 25 percent of the total driving population. Persons aged 65 and over hold 1.8 million driver licenses and account for 17 percent of the total.

The percentage of older drivers will increase as the "baby boom" generation collectively achieves senior status. By 2015, one in four, or 25 percent, will be over 60 years old. By 2030, all baby boomers will be over the age of 65. People age 85 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the older population, and drivers age 85 and older have about the same crash rate per miles traveled as 20-24 year olds.

The DMV, under Commissioner Swarts, established the Office for the Older Driver in 2008 to promote the needs of senior drivers through educational tools that support traffic safety. The office is committed to recognizing, understanding and advocating for the needs of older drivers through programs that enhance driving awareness, promote safer driving and offer available alternatives to driving.

For more information, please visit the Resources for the Older Driver Web site at http://www.nysdmv.com/olderdriver/, the DMV's Web site at www.nysdmv.com, or the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Web site at www.safeny.com.