As people plan for retirement, the California Highway Patrol urges them to also plan for the changing needs and abilities in their driving as they age. The CHP has joined the American Occupational Therapy Association to recognize this week as Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Officer Dave Martinez, at the CHP office in Auburn, says the ability to drive safely can be affected by physical, emotional, and mental conditions. But there are things that can be done to help address this…

click to listen to Officer Martinez

Martinez says if family and friends discuss potential changes before they become an issue, older drivers can be involved in the planning. But if a senior is not very responsive to their concerns, including possibly not driving anymore, or not alone anymore, they can also contact the DMV…

click to listen to Officer Martinez

The CHP says drivers 65 and older made up about 15% of the licensed drivers in California in 2014, the latest numbers available. Also, seniors were involved in 10% of fatal collisions, and 8.5% of injury crashes.