SAGA — Doing things properly

What can be done to make driving for older drivers easier?

With the number of drivers, aged over 50, on the UK’s roads increasing, there’s a growing demand for cars that take into account the toll that passing years can sometimes take.

If you’re an older driver who is looking, or about to look for a new car, there are a number of features to watch out for. You’ll find that they can make driving easier, more enjoyable and more comfortable.

Here’s some advice that you might like add to your wish list when looking for a new car.

What to look for

Power seats are definitely a must. A simple press of a button and you can enjoy the perfect driving position. Some cars’ onboard computers even remember different settings for different drivers. Another couple of worthy recommendations are an adjustable steering column, and on models that feature them, adjustable pedals.

If you happen to suffer from conditions such as arthritis, particularly in your hands, it’s a good idea to look for cars that have thicker steering wheels, keyless entry systems and power mirrors. All of which are quite common on modern vehicles.

It might also be a sensible idea to avoid coupes. Their doors tend to be longer and heavier than a standard two or four door saloon, and so, more difficult to open and close. They also give you less room to get in and out of the car, if you find yourself parked in a tight space.

Another thing to look for is a low threshold beneath the doors. If the threshold is high, then it means a deep footwell, which, for some older drivers, can cause problems getting in and out of the car.

Cars designed especially for older drivers

Car manufacturers around the world have realised, that in the current financial climate, it’s the silver-haired driver who is typically becoming their high-end buyer. Cars sold to the over 50s is the main sector in which they make the majority of their profit.

And car manufacturers are doing their utmost to attract those older buyers. Nissan has developed an ‘aging suit’, a cumbersome awkward outfit that gives young car designers a very real taste of how it feels to be old. The suit simulates conditions such as arthritic joints and shaky balance. It also includes goggles that distort colour and replicate the effects of cataracts.

The suit has become an invaluable aid in helping design vehicles that are safer and more comfortable for older drivers.

Not to be outdone, Ford has, what it calls its ‘Third Age’ suit to simulate the aging process. And now uses a virtual reality lab to evaluate vehicle ergonomics and the clarity of drivers’ views. Also in the running is General Motors, who are developing a high-tech windscreen, especially designed to enhance the driver’s vision and view of the road.

Although not as willing as other manufacturers to disclose its research and development, Toyota already offers rear view cameras and sonar on some models to help drivers avoid collisions, which should also cut the number of car insurance claims made by older drivers.

With advances like this, what will car manufacturers dream up next, a car that drives itself? Well, they’re working on it…