The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will host a two-day public forum on safety issues related to the aging driver population. The "Safety, Mobility and Aging Drivers" forum, led by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, will be held on Nov. 9 and 10, in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

"Today, there are more than 30 million licensed drivers in the U.S. who are 65 years or older, and in just 15 years, this age group of drivers will comprise more than 20 percent of the entire U.S. driving population," Hersman said. "The NTSB has a particular interest in learning how to reduce injury risk in car accidents for drivers in this age category."

Although a number of organizations have focused on the safety and mobility of aging drivers in recent years, this forum marks the first time that the NTSB will analyze the issue.

The forum is intended to identify safety issues related to aging drivers by identifying data needs, potential technologies, and possible strategies to prevent accidents and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities within this growing segment of the nation's drivers.

The panel topics will include:

• Safety risks of aging drivers

• Occupant protection for aging drivers and passengers

• Highway and vehicle design improvements

• Assessing driver performance, refresher training, and driver rehabilitation

• State programs and practices 

These issue areas will be explored through presentations and discussions with representatives from the academic and research community, trade associations, non-profit and advocacy groups, the automobile industry, and federal and state government agencies involved in occupant safety and highway design.

The forum will be held at the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

The public is welcome to attend the forum in person or view the live Wwebcast on the NTSB's Website. An agenda and Webcast details will be posted on the NTSB's Website closer to the dates of the event.