Seeing Is Believing: Seniors Are Safer Drivers After Watching Videos

There are several auto dealerships in other suburbs. When car-shopping resumes in coming days, those who venture into one of those showrooms will find eager salespeople talking up the benefits of the increasingly popular advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) featured in almost all new vehicles.

Designed to make driving safer, ADAS technologies include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, back-up cameras and much more. When used properly, these high-tech systems help drivers to avoid motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities.

Untapped Potential

Unfortunately, the safety potential of ADAS is sometimes untapped, especially among older drivers who don’t feel comfortable with their unfamiliar tech. A new study shows that senior drivers can become more accustomed to ADAS and more willing to employ the systems by learning about the technologies by watching interactive videos.

The videos allow drivers to review, stop, pause and rewind – capabilities that allow seniors, especially, to become comfortable with a learning pace that they control.

Higher Crash Rates

One researcher said, “older adults have a higher rate of vehicle crashes because of degradations in physical, mental and motor capabilities. With ADAS, some of the mental workload related to driving can be taken off, and we’ve shown that instructional videos are the best way to introduce ADAS to seniors.”

The researcher added that she hopes the study’s insight will result in “better video-based training materials for this age group so that senior safety while driving is enhanced.”

The study was recently published in the journal “Applied Ergonomics.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 18 percent of all motor vehicle accidents involve drivers who are 65 years and older.

Multitasking Struggles

Why are older drivers more prone to causing car accidents? Many seniors struggle to multitask when they’re behind the wheel. For example, it can be difficult for seniors to simultaneously change lanes, look for a speed limit sign and engage the adaptive cruise control.

Watching a video about how the cruise control can be safely and easily deployed can make seniors comfortable with the tech that makes driving easier.

If you have been hurt in a traffic accident, contact a personal injury attorney experienced in court systems across West Tennessee.