As the population ages, many organizations are facing the challenge of an aging workforce. This demographic shift has important implications both for businesses that rely on drivers and for religious orders that have many older drivers. It is essential for these organizations to ensure that their older drivers are safe and competent on the road. One way to achieve this is by encouraging self-evaluation of driving skills among older drivers.
There are several reasons why it is important for organizations to prioritize self-evaluation of driving skills among their older drivers, including:
Safety: Safety should be the top priority for any organization that has drivers. Older drivers are more likely to experience declines in physical and cognitive abilities that can affect their driving performance. This includes slower reflexes, decreased visual acuity, and reduced cognitive function. By encouraging self-evaluation, organizations can identify any areas of weakness in their older drivers’ skills and provide appropriate training or support to improve safety on the road. Self-evaluation forms also can help identify potential driving issues before they become serious problems, allowing the organization to take action to ensure the safety of their drivers and other road users.
Compliance: Organizations have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the safety of their community members and the general public. Organizations can be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers, especially if it is found that the organization did not take reasonable steps to ensure their drivers were competent and safe on the road, especially if they know a driver should not be driving and they were allowed. All jurisdictions require older drivers to undergo regular evaluations at the Department of Motor Vehicles (each state is different) of their driving abilities, and failure to comply can result in loss or suspension of one's driver’s license. By encouraging scheduled self-evaluations, organizations can ensure that their older drivers are aware of the community's requirements and take steps to comply, while demonstrating their commitment to safety and reducing the risk of accidents caused by older drivers.
Risk management: By using self-evaluation forms, organizations can proactively manage risk and reduce the likelihood of accidents or incidents involving their older drivers.
Driver retention: Encouraging self-evaluation can help organizations retain their older drivers, who often have valuable experience and knowledge. By providing opportunities for older drivers to reflect on their driving skills and take steps to improve, organizations can help older drivers maintain their confidence and sense of competence, which can improve job satisfaction and reduce turnover. Older drivers also may appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on their driving abilities, and may be more likely to appreciate an organization that values their input and takes steps to ensure their safety.
It is essential for organizations to prioritize self-evaluation of driving skills among their older drivers. By doing so, organizations can improve safety on the road, demonstrate their commitment to employee and public safety, retain valuable older drivers, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. It is important for organizations to work with their older drivers to ensure that they are aware of the importance of self-evaluation and have the resources and support they need to maintain safe and competent driving skills.
Christian Brothers Risk Management Services (RMS) has a self-evaluation checklist called “Self-Reflection on Safe Driving” that is available for all members of the Risk Pooling Trust. The checklist, at right, includes several scenarios for older drivers to review, including, “I have gotten lost while driving in familiar places,” “I have difficulty keeping my car in the center of the lane,” “I fail to notice traffic signs and traffic lights,” and “My medication(s) makes me dizzy or drowsy.” It also asks how often they drive, from one to two times every three months, to five to seven times per week.
The checklist encourages drivers to be honest with themselves about any limitations or changes in their abilities. If, after completion of this checklist, there are a few boxes checked or if their “Need to Drive is rated Low,” they are encouraged to discuss these reflections with leadership.
In addition to the Self-Evaluation Checklist, RMS also has programs and toolkits to assist administrators with their drivers, including the Monitoring of Religious Drivers Toolkit, the Driver Evaluation Program, and the Senior Safe Driving Program. RMS also offers interactive online training in Fleet Safety for all your drivers, including Defensive Driving and Driver Awareness Training.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, people age 70 and older are more likely to crash than any other age group besides drivers age 25 and younger. And because older drivers are more fragile, they are more likely to get hurt or die from these crashes.
