Press Release: 12/3/2025

MassDOT and the RMV Recognize Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



12/03/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT



 Phone



Call Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at (857) 368-8500



 Online



Email Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at jacquelyn.goddard@dot.state.ma.us



BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) are raising awareness about the unique challenges facing drivers who are 65 years of age and older. Together, they are encouraging families, friends and medical providers to initiate critical conversations about driver safety and mobility.  



During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which runs Monday, December 1, through Friday, December 5, valuable information will be shared to help inform driving decisions. This informational campaign promotes a wide range of resources that foster discussions around older driver safety, including changes to vision, reflexes, cognition, and physical fitness, as well as the effects from certain medications or medical conditions on driving.



“The first week of December marks Older Driver Safety Week, and while we at MassDOT are committed to safety for all road users, it allows all of us to remind ourselves and our loved ones that some may need a little extra help navigating the roadways or utilizing alternative transportation options. Remember to get regular physicals, eye exams and have open, honest conversations about driving with one another. It can save lives by keeping everyone as safe as possible on our roads. By working together with care and respect, we can support older adults to stay mobile, independent, and connected to the communities and activities they love,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary & MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng.



“Driving is an important part of everyday life for older adults, and it is important to recognize when changes need to be made to prioritize safety,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “This year during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, we’re encouraging older drivers, families, and caregivers to have conversations about driver safety, and to be proactive about identifying changes that may impact driving, such as vision, cognitive, or effects from medications or medical conditions.”  



Decisions about driving ability should never be based on age alone. However, changes in vision, reflexes, physical fitness, and cognitive fitness may cause safety concerns. Most older adults outlive their ability to drive safely by an average of seven to ten years, according to the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation. Being proactive about safe driving skills, learning ways to identify changes early, and intervening as soon as possible can help older drivers maintain safe mobility. 



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds motorists that simply getting older doesn’t mean it’s time to hang up their keys, but they should evaluate how they – or loved ones – drive. Older drivers may begin to experience changes such as reduced strength, flexibility, vision, and cognition, which older drivers, their families, and caregivers should all be aware of. Safe driving ability can also be affected by certain medications or medical conditions. Families and caregivers can also support an older driver by attending medical appointments and by encouraging them to share any driving-related concerns with their healthcare provider.



The RMV offers the following resources and workshops for older adults and providers: 




  • Visit the RMV’s website for older driver resources and learn more about older driver safety.

  • Attend one of the RMV’s free Safe Driving workshops, which can be requested by community organizations and associations that cater to older individuals:

  • Shifting Gears – rules of the road, defensive driving, and safe driving tips.

  • The Driving Decision – advice for families and providers who are concerned about a person’s ability to drive safely.

  • View RMV’s video, Shifting Gears, which highlights how age-related changes can affect a person’s ability to drive and how everyone can support older driver safety and mobility.

  • Review ”Your Health and Driving Safely” to learn about  driving evaluation programs, warning signs of unsafe driving, and to identify alternatives to driving. 



Older adults who live in Greater Boston and who are transitioning away from driving may find helpful the MBTA’s free travel instruction services to help older adults and people with disabilities travel independently on the system; the T offers transportation by bus, subway,  train, ferry and on The RIDE.   More information is available on the MBTA’s website. Moreover, riders 65 and older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a Senior CharlieCard.



Outside of Greater Boston, many Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) also offer travel training for customers. To learn about programs and transit services available in their areas, residents should contact their local RTA. Councils on Aging and Aging Service Access Points can also be great resources for learning about transportation alternatives to driving. Older adults and their caregivers can also look for transportation options in Ride Match, an online, searchable database of public and private transportation options. Ride Match is hosted by the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority and includes transit services statewide. 



All RTAs in Massachusetts provide reduced fare programs for seniors who ride public transportation on RTA services – and all 15 RTAs are currently participating in fare-free service for all ages. 



Additional information and recommendations on how older drivers can stay safe while driving can be found on the NHTSA’s website. Information for practitioners/providers can be found on the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website.