Maryland MVA Promotes Free Resources for Older Drivers During Safety Week

GLEN BURNIE — The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration kicked off Older Driver Safety Awareness Week on December 1, 2025, urging seniors and their families to use free state programs designed to extend safe driving and preserve independence.

The annual observance runs through December 5. Motor Vehicle Administration Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s highway safety representative, emphasized education and family discussion as key tools.

“Our goal is to empower drivers with resources at every stage of life,” Nizer said. “Through education and proactive conversations, we can help families support their loved ones in maintaining safe mobility and independence.”

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures show older drivers remain among the safest on the road yet face higher risk of serious injury or death when crashes occur. The nation’s population aged 65 and older rose 29 percent from 2012 to 2021, while fatal crashes involving drivers in that age group climbed 4.7 percent between 2021 and 2022.

In Maryland, more than 950,000 licensed drivers are now 65 or older, making up 22 percent of all licensed drivers in the state. During 2024, the state recorded more than 580 roadway deaths. Drivers 65 and older were involved in 17 percent of those fatal crashes while accounting for 8.5 percent of the fatalities.

The MVA Highway Safety Office offers several no-cost programs aimed at helping older Marylanders adjust to age-related changes behind the wheel.

One presentation, titled “Driving Safely as We Age,” lasts one hour and is available to senior centers, 55-plus communities, civic groups and other organizations across the state. The session covers physical changes that affect driving, medication side effects, and practical steps to improve safety and comfort.

The program pairs naturally with CarFit, another free service in which a trained technician spends about 20 minutes with a driver to check 12 points of vehicle fit, including mirror positioning, seat height, steering wheel tilt and distance to the pedals. Technicians provide immediate adjustments and recommendations.

A third initiative, MyCarDoesWhat, educates drivers on modern safety features now standard in many newer vehicles. Topics include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning systems, lane-departure alerts and backup cameras.

Families and caregivers receive specific guidance from the MVA on supporting older drivers:

• Schedule routine vision, hearing and medical exams, since declining eyesight, hearing loss or new health conditions can impair driving ability.
• Limit driving in challenging conditions by avoiding night driving, heavy rain or rush-hour traffic when possible.
• Ensure the vehicle fits the driver properly through correct seat and mirror adjustments and keep up with regular maintenance.
• Learn to use built-in safety technologies that can compensate for slower reaction times.
• Stay mentally sharp by minimizing in-car distractions and considering refresher courses offered by organizations such as AARP or the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
• Begin early, open conversations about future transportation needs, including public transit, ride-sharing services or family assistance, before a crisis forces the issue.

All materials and presentations remain free of charge. Groups interested in scheduling “Driving Safely as We Age” or CarFit events can contact the MVA Highway Safety Office directly.

Detailed resources, self-assessment tools and program request forms are available at ZeroDeathsMD.gov/Older.

The state’s focus on older-driver safety aligns with broader Vision Zero efforts coordinated through the Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which targets a reduction in traffic deaths and serious injuries across all age groups.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is recognized nationally each December by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and state partners to highlight both the experience older drivers bring to the road and the unique risks they face as physical abilities change.