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It is doubtful whether a vehicle designed specifically as an “old person's car” could ever achieve success inasmuch as the culture in which we exist assigns only the most negative of attributes to such characterizations. Nevertheless, there are numerous vehicle technologies that are emerging or under longer range development that may be of special benefit to the elderly. This paper will discuss these technologies, and explain how they might help offset some of the declines in vision and cognition that mature drivers experience through aging. Concern over the mature driver and his or her capabilities to drive safely have received increased emphasis within the private and public sectors over the past several years. While such a concern is appropriate, it would not exist today if automobile manufacturers over the years had failed to develop the various power assist technologies that have enabled adults to continue driving well into advanced age.

In the relatively short span of 100 years, the American automobile has traveled a somewhat rocky and circuitous road from unwanted child and wealthy toy to the greatest symbol of personal freedom known to man. The imperfect American horseless carriage was introduced at a time when paved roads were virtually nonexistence, fuel was not readily available, and authorities sought to restrict its progress. Yet the automotive pioneers prevailed and literally changed the face of the country as well as its economy and technology. The changes, however, evoked criticism, regulation, and challenges which have endured.

During the next half century, the older driver population will increase dramatically as the Baby Boom becomes a Senior Boom of similar proportions. Therefore a proper understanding and awareness of the changes that take place in our vision and cognition through aging, can be useful to engineers designing automobile systems for a more mature market. How these changes brought about by aging affect our interaction with such vehicle systems as controls and displays, mirrors, head-lighting, seating, and entry and exit is the subject of the following discussion. Recommendations also are made, based upon the current literature, for modifying these vehicle systems to meet the needs of older drivers.

Elderly drivers represent about 11 percent of licensed drivers in the United States. While accident data broken down by age groups are relatively sparse, what data do exist suggest that elderly drivers, as a group, do not pose a threat to other drivers on the road. However, the data also suggest that elderly drivers have a higher probability of serious injury relative to drivers of other ages once a collision occurs, and that the accidents in which they become involved have a characteristic pattern. More research is needed to determine if elderly driver injury rates could be reduced or if specific types of accidents could be avoided.