According to the National Older Driver Research and Training Center, by the year 2024 one in four drivers will be over the age of 65. With this influx of elderly drivers comes a range of ailments -- from arthritis to paralysis -- that makes driving more difficult. Oftentimes, the person is cognitively able to safely drive, but has some physical limitations.
Auto manufacturers have responded to this need, with a wide range of auto mobility products. They range from simple tools to boost a small elderly person up in the seat of the car or make it easier for those with arthritis to steer or brake, to complex systems that make entrance and exit from the vehicle less cumbersome, and ingenious solutions for loading and storing equipment such as scooters or wheelchairs.
The United States doesn't have nearly as many of these products as in Japan, where there is a greater proportion of elderly people than anywhere else in the world, says Bob Swaim, National Program Manager, Toyota Automobility. "But with an aging boomer market, there will be an increasing need for these products." In fact, says Swaim, "With these products going mainstream, you may soon see a Toyota Sienna with a lift up seat displayed in your local dealership showroom."