The Safety and Mobility Patterns of Older Women

Abstract

The safety and mobility needs of older women are two sides of the same coin. Current generations of older women are extremely mobile because of their access to the car; future generations will be even more dependent on the car for their mobility but may suffer even greater mobility losses when they reduce or cease driving. But if they continue to drive when they should no longer do so, crash and death rates will soar. In order to address their safety and mobility needs we need a three-fold strategy: 1) alter the roadway system to make it safer and easier for older drivers and pedestrians, 2) develop a range of supportive transit and paratransit alternatives, and 3) retrofit the low density communities in which most older will age in place or to which they will move.