Smart headlights, emergency response systems and reverse monitoring features rank highest in car technologies that enhance the abilities and promote safe driving for older motorists, according to a new study by The Hartford and MIT AgeLab.

Using more than a decade of research on older driver safety, The Hartford and MIT AgeLab worked with a panel of experts in driving, aging and technology to examine 25 new technologies designed to benefit mature drivers, who are more likely than other age groups to purchase the types of vehicles that contain modern technology.

Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist at The Hartford, said:”While older drivers as a group are relatively safe, these technologies can help to enhance their abilities and promote safe driving for a lifetime.”

The Hartford maintains a top technologies list (www.thehartford.com/lifetime) which drivers can match with their vehicle manuals to understand what their car is equipped with and how the features work.

The study also recommends three steps older drivers should consider for their driving wellness:

1. Be a healthy driver. Get regular physicals and annual eye exams, consider the side effects of medications and exercise regularly.

2. Keep learning. Take a driver safety course such as the one offered through AARP Driver Safety.

3. Adjust to changes in driving skills. Be aware of normal age-related changes and make appropriate adjustments to driving.

See the following slideshow for the top 10 most popular technologies.

1. Smart headlights adjust the range and intensity of light based on the distance of traffic and to reduce glare and improve night vision.

2. Emergency response systems offer quick assistance to drivers in case of a medical emergency or collision, often allowing emergency personnel to get to the scene more quickly.

3. Reverse monitoring systems warn of objects to the rear of the vehicle to help drivers judge distances and back up safely, and helps drivers with reduced flexibility.

4. Blind spot warning systems warn drivers of objects in blind spots, especially while changing lanes and parking, and help those with limited range of motion.

5. Lane departure warning monitors the vehicle's position and warns the driver if the vehicle deviates outside the lane, helping drivers stay in their lane.

6. Vehicle stability control helps to automatically bring the vehicle back in the intended line of travel, particularly in situations where the driver underestimates the angle of a curve or experiences weather effects, and reduces the likelihood of a crash.

7. Assistive parking systems enable vehicles to park on their own or indicate distance to objects, reducing driver stress, making parking easier and increasing the places that a driver can park.

8. Voice activated systems allow drivers to access features by voice command so they can keep focused on the road.

9. Crash mitigation systems detect when the vehicle may be in danger of a collision and can help minimize injuries to passengers.

10. Drowsy driver alerts monitor the degree to which a driver may be inattentive while on the road and help alert drivers to the driving task.

For a more detailed list of the top ten technologies, free guidebooks, practical tools and an informational video, visit www.thehartford.com/lifetime and www.youtube.com/thehartford.

Special Reports /

Top 10 Car Technologies for Mature Drivers

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