Aging baby boomers means more elderly drivers, and AAA says they're at a higher risk for accidents.

That's why there is an increased effort to make sure they are safe and comfortable behind the wheel.

Bill and Barbara Lynch, both 64 years old, just retired.

"They call us mature now, as opposed to old,” Bill said.

This couple is part of the growing number of baby boomers on the roads.

They decided to downsize to one car. 

They bought a newer, fancier SUV, but Barbara felt a little overwhelmed behind the wheel of their new vehicle.

“It has a lot more bells and whistles than I am used to and it threw me off,” Barbara said.

Bill suggested his wife come out to an event near Downtown Orlando called CarFit.

Safety experts with AAA, AARP, the Orange County Tax Collector and CarFit run through a 12-point checklist.

They make recommendations to help make the driver feel more comfortable and safe.

“I have to get use to the car, so that is why I am here,” Barbara said.

They check the tread on tires and use a ruler to make sure that drivers are at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.

“Making sure we are as safe on the highway as we can be is an important issue,” Car Fit Driver Instructor and Senior Transportation Consultant Fran Carlin-Rogers said.

The National Safety Council reports older drivers are second to teenagers for the number of accidents they cause.

They also found adult children would rather talk about their parents about funeral plans, rather than the issue of taking their keys away from them.

“There are certainly some age related changes that happen to all of us,” said Carlin-Rogers.

AAA and CarFit leaders said they plan on having more events to keep more older drivers safe on the roads.

AAA reported that by 2030, there will be almost 60 million people age 65 and older, which is one in five people.

The following is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

What you should know:

  • In 2008, more than 5,500 older adults were killed in motor vehicle crashes and more than 183,000 were injured. This amounts to 15 older adults killed and 500 injured in crashes on average every day.
  • Motor vehicle crash deaths per mile traveled among both men and women begin to increase markedly after age 75.
  • Age-related declines in vision and cognitive functioning (ability to reason and remember), as well as physical changes (such as arthritis or reduced strength), may affect some older adults' driving abilities.

What you can do:

Driving plays an important role in many older adults' mobility and independence. If you are a driver age 65 or older, you can make your time behind the wheel safer by:

Online tools are available to help you assess your driving knowledge and skills. Some helpful resources include:

  • Asking your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines (both prescription and over-the counter) to reduce possible side effects and drug interactions.
  • Having your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and wearing your glasses and contact lenses as required.
  • Planning your route before you drive.
  • Leaving a large following distance behind the car in front of you.
  • Avoiding distractions in your car, such as listening to a loud radio, talking on your cell phone, texting, and eating.
  • Considering potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend or using public transit, that you could use to get around.