Increasingly in discussions on road and pedestrian safety, lawmakers and transportation officials are turning their attention to a growing segment of Hawai'i drivers who pose a significantly higher risk of getting involved in accidents — those 70 and older.

Over the past decade, the number of Hawai'i drivers in their 70s has ballooned to more than 70,000, a number expected to grow over the next two decades as baby boomers age. By 2030, the state is forecast to have one of the nation's highest percentages of elderly residents relative to its overall population, U.S. Census figures show.

Today, about 6 percent of Hawai'i drivers are 75 and older, compared with just over 3 percent a decade ago. Meanwhile, 13 percent of drivers are 65 and older, and more than 7,400 drivers are 85 and older — an increase of 69 percent from 1997.

Those 70 and older represent about one out of every 12 drivers.

The spotlight on elderly drivers comes in the wake of several local and national studies that show drivers 70 and older are as much as three times as likely to get into accidents than middle-age drivers. The studies link the higher risk among older drivers to declining eyesight and slower reaction, part of the natural aging process.

Some lawmakers say the studies, coupled with the growth in older drivers, are reason to toughen state licensing laws and institute more safeguards to catch elderly drivers who may no longer be road-worthy.

But for older drivers and advocates for the elderly, talk of tougher license requirements is worrisome. They say passing a one-size-fits-all law could be counterproductive for such a diverse population, some members of which are coping with debilitating ailments at 60, while others are spry, lucid and active at 99.

Many older drivers also say keeping their cars is a crucial component of their independence: It's how they get to the doctor, to the store and to social events. Some live miles from the nearest bus stop and don't want to rely on family members. If they didn't have a car, they say, they would rarely leave the house.

'WATCH YOURSELF'

"Right now, all the accidents are caused by the younger ones. They're the ones who speed," said David Young, an 82-year-old 'Alewa Heights resident.

Young and his 82-year-old wife, Bertha, both drive regularly. Though most of their driving is around their community, they also sometimes travel longer distances to attend get-togethers. Young said he has no plans to give up his keys, as long as he feels alert and safe behind the wheel. "You got to watch yourself," he said, laughing.

Though no measures to change licensing laws for the elderly were introduced last session, discussions on the topic took on new relevance earlier this year, when at least three fatal pedestrian accidents on O'ahu involved elderly drivers, ranging in age from 69 to 80.

Also, several new studies point to the seriousness of the issue. Recently released national research, based on data from 1999 to 2004 found that drivers ages 75 to 85 had the same death rate in accidents as teenage drivers.

The results were nearly as discouraging as a 1998 study conducted in the Islands, which found that Hawai'i drivers over 70 and those ages 15 to 24 were three times as likely to be at fault in an accident as middle-age drivers. Also, a recent University of Hawai'i study of 104 individuals found that seniors ages 60 to 88 had a significantly higher crash ratio than drivers from 20 to 59 when tested on driving simulators. Even a group of participants ages 6 to 19 fared better than the elderly, according to the study, which is set to be published in an international journal.

"I think we should look at this seriously," said state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, chairwoman of the Transportation and Government Affairs Committee. "We should look at stricter guidelines."

Hawai'i is one of 16 states that require older drivers to come in more regularly for license renewals.

The standard renewal interval in the Islands is six years, while those 72 and older must come in every two years. All renewals, regardless of age, require an eye test. Elderly drivers are not subject to any other stringent requirements, unless a doctor, police officer or clerk at the motor vehicle office recommends a medical review.

RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

Inouye said previous attempts — as recent as 2003 — to toughen licensing laws for elderly drivers were met with stiff resistance. Past proposals have included everything from requiring road or written tests for elderly drivers trying to renew their license to banning drivers from renewals after a certain age.

Inouye stressed she is not in favor of banning drivers, just improving screening measures to make sure they are safe to drive. But she added that the growing body of research on elderly drivers and accidents coupled with more seniors on the road can't be ignored. "I think we should seriously look at taking them on the road (for driving tests)," she said.

Leon James, the author of several books on driving and a psychology professor at the University of Hawai'i, added that tougher licensing laws are based on scientific evidence — not discrimination. "The people who are competent are not going to be penalized," he said.

James said that in an ideal world, elderly drivers would self-regulate: Stop driving at night, if they can't see well in the dark; stop driving at all, if they no longer feel confident behind the wheel.

That's what Ala Moana resident Donald Berndt did when he was 65. It wasn't an easy decision, and it means it's difficult for the now 76-year-old to get around town, go shopping or attend social events, but he says it was the right one to make: He was no longer comfortable with his own driving, even though he passed an eye exam and was considered fit to drive.

"Frankly, it was something I hated to do," he said. "But I just realized my depth perception was somewhat off. I realized I didn't react to things as well as I did when I was younger."

The discussions on elderly drivers among state lawmakers and safety analysts join a chorus of concerned officials nationally who say states are illequipped to deal with the influx of drivers in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

In some states, the topic has reached an even higher level of prominence as lawmakers react to high-profile accidents involving elderly drivers. For example, Texas legislators recently required that drivers 79 and older take road tests to renew their licenses after a 90-year-old woman sped through a red light and hit a car, killing its 17-year-old driver who was headed to school.

In Hawai'i, even those wary of targeting elderly drivers say the system of license renewal needs an overhaul.

Harry Mattson, AARP associate state director of advocacy, said he has heard more and more people talking about changing the licensing requirements for seniors, and he would urge them to broaden the requirements to all drivers.

Others say their biggest concern with the law is the difficult process some families must go through to revoke someone's license. Karen Takemoto, program coordinator at Lanakila Multipurpose Center, said she often encounters seniors who are having difficulty driving but don't want to give it up because they have no alternative transportation. If she can't persuade a senior to stop driving, there is nothing else she can do.

DOCTORS GET INVOLVED

Family members also are often powerless, she added.

The city requires a written statement from a person's doctor or from a police officer (in the case of someone who has been in a serious accident) to send a license renewal case to the state Medical Advisory Board, which reviews whether a license should be renewed, revoked or renewed with conditions. Also, if a person is determined incompetent by the courts, his or her license renewal is reviewed.

Takemoto said doctors feel uncomfortable being thrust into such a position. "They've never seen the person drive," she said. "And someone who is a bad driver can be completely lucid."

But city officials counter that the process is set up to protect drivers from vindictive spouses or neighbors.

The only other way a license renewal can be turned over to the Medical Advisory Board for review is if a clerk at a motor vehicles branch finds "reasonable cause," either because the applicant is demonstrating a medical condition or has admitted to a condition that could impair driving.

"I'm sure we don't catch everybody," said Alan Miyamura, the city's chief licensing examiner and inspector. "It's a tough place we're at. We have to consider the other motorists out there, yet we're concerned about this person as well."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.