Creature comforts

Creature Comforts

By Peter Bohr

Vehicle features that help mature drivers—and anyone else—stay safe and comfortable behind the wheel

It's true that each of us ages differently. But sooner or later, time plays its tricks on our bodies, affecting our ability to perform tasks such as driving.

By age 40, it becomes more difficult to juggle several tasks at once. Night vision and sensitivity to contrasting shades decline. After 50, reaction times slow markedly. By 60, muscle strength and range of motion decrease by as much as 25%, making it more difficult to turn our head to look over a shoulder, for instance. By 70, many are afflicted with arthritic joints. Other ailments can compound the effects of the natural aging process.

With the number of Americans ages 55 to 74 projected to nearly double by 2030, automakers are paying keen attention to the needs of older car buyers.

"Age doesn't necessitate a particular car," says John Nielson, AAA director of Automotive Repair, Buying Services & Consumer Information. "But buying a car with certain features can help all people continue to enjoy the independence that driving brings."

To assist mature drivers in selecting their next vehicle, AAA, together with the National Older Driver Research and Training Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville, identified the following features on newer cars that can be particularly helpful.

1. Active head restraints. This type of restraint moves forward to cushion the head if the car is hit from behind, helping reduce neck injuries.

2. Adjustable pedals. With a push of a button, the accelerator and brake pedals can be adjusted to ensure the driver can reach them while seated at a safe distance (about 12 inches) from the steering wheel.

3. Power-operated seats. These require less strength to adjust. At a minimum, the seats should offer six-way adjustment: forward and backward, up and down, and seatback forward and backward.

4. Large knobs and buttons. Audio and climate controls with large features are easier to see, and thus less distracting.

5. Large/wide-angle mirrors. For those who have difficulty turning or twisting to look to the rear.

6. Moderate step-in height. A low-slung car requires extra strength and flexibility to get into and out of the vehicle. Likewise, a tall SUV requires extra effort to climb up into a seat.

7. Four doors. Four-door models make entry and exit easier, especially if the car has a rear seat. Two-door cars have longer, heavier doors, requiring more strength to open and close.

8. Keyless entry. Operated by a push-button on the key fob, this feature is good for those with arthritic hands who find it painful to twist a key.

9. Keyless ignition. A dash-mounted push-button instead of a traditional key is beneficial to those with stiff or painful fingers.

10. Tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The extra adjustments help the driver find a safe distance from the front airbag, as well as a comfortable position that alleviates knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder pain. When it comes to selecting a new vehicle, choosing features that assist with physical limitations can make for a more enjoyable ride at any age, says Desiree Lanford, occupational therapist/certified driving rehabilitation specialist at the University of Florida.

"A car should fit you like shoes or clothes. Too often, people pick out a vehicle and don't realize until too late that it's not a good fit for them," Lanford says.

For more recommended features and examples of vehicles that have them, visit www.AAA.com/seniordrivers.

Peter Bohr is a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine and regularly writes for AAA magazines around the country.