AAA Texas is hosting a driving expo in Austin Thursday afternoon for the fastest growing population in the U.S.: senior citizens.
The agency is teaming up with the Parson’s House, an assisted living facility in Northeast Austin, to host the Senior Driver Expo.
Auto experts say as people age they can lose mobility.
The expo is intended to help seniors recognize their challenges so that they can continue to drive safely.
"It's a fact, things change, your vision, your range of motion, even your height, your eyes, your reflexes," said Sonta Henderson, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "If you have to take a particular type of medication everyday at noon maybe noon to three o'clock you shouldn't drive."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau the senior population is the fastest growing population in the nation. By 2030 experts say more than 30 million people, nearly one in every four drivers, will be 65 years old or older.
In 2008, a woman in her 70s was attempting to park at a Best Buy store in Northwest Austin. Authorities believe she mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake as she pulled into a parking spot by the front door of the store. Her car jumped the concrete bumper and crashed through the glass doors. It lodged about half-way inside before coming to a stop.
The driver wasn't injured and neither was anyone inside, but it's a frightening realization of the accidents that can occur.
Along with personally identifying the struggles of the individual seniors who attend Thursday’s expo AAA will distribute general helpful advice.
"We have all types of brochures even a DVD to assist seniors with things they need to know as they hit the road," said Henderson.
The Senior Driver Expo begins at 12:30pm Thursday afternoon and lasts until 2:30pm at the Parsons House at 1130 Camino la Costa in Northeast Austin.
