Mature Drivers

The New York State Police helped develop a handbook, When You Are Concerned, with the New York State Office for the Aging. The project was funded by a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and Allstate Insurance. The New York State Police provided law enforcement perspectives concerning older driver issues and defined what roles the law enforcement community can play in assisting older drivers and their families. The handbook is a guide for families, friends, and caregivers worried about the safety of an aging driver and outlined the following:

An overview of families concerned about the safety of an aging driver in the family.

• How to monitor an aging driver when you don't live nearby.
• Where to find assistance.
• Discussion and intervention techniques.
• How to cope with an aging family driver.
• Transportation alternatives.
• How to keep the older family member driving safely.
• Mobility for life.

The New York State Police deploys Community Resource Officers in the local communities to speak to senior citizen groups about occupant safety and general traffic safety. The state troopers provide information on older driving issues through pamphlets provided by the New York State Office for the Aging. The Community Resource Officers receive training in presentation skills and specific sensitivity and cultural diversity training.

New York State Governor George E. Pataki has charged 37 state agencies, including the State Police, with responsibility for examining the future impact of the aging of the Baby Boom generation on state services. This project, "Project 2015," has identified three important areas through a Project 2015 focus group:

• Highway Safety.
• Criminal Investigation/Enforcement.
• Employee development. Due to future changing demographics, the New York State Police will work independently and collaboratively to explore the impact of aging as it relates to traffic safety policy and management of their programs.

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