Is It Time To Talk To Dad About His Driving?

For many Americans, traveling "over the river and through the woods” this holiday season will lead to a family gathering. And according to The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG), these get-togethers can be a good time for families to engage in conversations about safe driving – particularly with older drivers.

In conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 6-12, The Hartford, MIT AgeLab and AARP have joined forces to encourage families to have conversations with older relatives about driving safety. Times when families are already together, such as during the holiday season, can be a great opportunity to observe a loved one’s driving first hand and to talk with other relatives to build consensus.

"Driving is about more than transportation. It’s a symbol of independence and freedom. But having frank family conversations about driver safety early on – well before it becomes a problem – can reinforce safe practices and open a communications channel without the strain of asking a parent to curtail or stop driving,” said Lisa D’Ambrosio, Ph.D., research scientist at the MIT AgeLab.

Although car accidents involving older drivers often call attention to the issue of older adults and driving safety, statistics indicate that most older adults are relatively safe drivers. They represent 15 percent of licensed drivers, but only 8 percent of crashes. ¹ It is important to keep in mind, however, that medical conditions, medication usage and reduced physical function can affect safety.

Starting the Conversation

According to Maureen Mohyde, gerontologist, The Hartford Advance 50 Team, families should initiate the first conversation about safety long before driving becomes a problem. Car accidents, near misses, self-regulation of driving and health changes all provide opportunities to talk about driving skills. The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab offer the following suggestions for starting those conversations:

• "I’m glad that you’ve cut down on night driving. I would never want you to drive when you’re not comfortable or feel that it’s too risky.”

• "Have you asked your doctor about the effects of your new medication on your driving?”
• "That was a close call yesterday. I worry about your safety on the road.”
• "I’m worried about your getting in a car accident with all the ice and snow on the roads.”

"Comments about how much more congested traffic has become recently or about an accident in the news can be a good way to start a conversation about driving safety,” said Mohyde. "By starting in a non-threatening way, the older driver will be more comfortable expressing his or her feelings about driving.”

We Need to Talk

To help families start productive and non-intimidating conversations with older relatives, The Hartford Advance 50 Team and the MIT AgeLab collaborated with the AARP Driver Safety Program to create "We Need to Talk” seminars. Based on research conducted by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab, the seminar is an interactive experience that gives participants a better understanding of the issues related to older drivers and methods for having sensitive and successful conversations about driving. The free seminars are offered in communities throughout the country and are hosted by AARP volunteers. Families can find out more about the seminar dates and locations at www.aarp.org/weneedtotalk or by emailing wntt@aarp.org or calling (202) 434-3919.

In addition, families worried about an aging relative’s ability to drive safely can get help from the guide We Need to Talk: Family Conversations with Older Drivers, produced in partnership by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab.

Based on a two-year study of older drivers’ attitudes and driving habits, We Need to Talk offers families easy-to-use, practical information to help them advise their loved one on whether it is time to limit or even give up driving. The 24-page guidebook is free online at www.safedrivingforalifetime.com. The website offers other free publications; interactive tools, such as a crash risk assessment; warning signs to watch for; a driving wellness action plan; and an interactive blog community.

For more information about National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, consumers may visit http://www.aota.org/OlderDriverWeek.

About The Hartford/MIT AgeLab Partnership

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the MIT AgeLab welcomed The Hartford as a founding sponsor in 1999. The Hartford’s Advance 50 Team and the MIT AgeLab are committed to producing original research to improve the quality of life for older adults and their families and to help guide important decisions about safety, mobility and independence.

About The Hartford Advance 50 Team

The Hartford is one of the few companies in the United States with in-house experts on aging. For over 25 years, The Hartford has employed gerontologists to advance the creation and delivery of research, educational materials and innovative business solutions to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ market.

About The Hartford

Celebrating nearly 200 years, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) is an insurance-based financial services company that serves households, businesses and employees by helping to protect their assets and income from risks, and by managing wealth and retirement needs. A Fortune 500 company, The Hartford is recognized widely for its service expertise and as one of the world’s most ethical companies. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com.

About the MIT AgeLab

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab is a global research program based within MIT’s Engineering Systems Division and Center for Transportation & Logistics. The AgeLab conducts research on technology, behavior and innovation to improve the quality of life of older people and those who care for them. More about AgeLab’s research in transportation, health and wellness, and longevity planning is available at http://web.mit.edu/agelab.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About the American Occupational Therapy Association

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) advances the quality, availability, use and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education and research on behalf of its members and the public. The contributions of occupational therapy to health, wellness, productivity and quality of life are widely used, understood and valued by society. Occupational therapists trained in driver rehabilitation provide a key component to the evaluation of older driver safety and rehabilitation. The AOTA Older Driver Safety Web site at www.aota.org/olderdriver is a valuable resource for occupational therapy professionals, other health care providers, consumers and caregivers.

The information in this news release is provided for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and not intended to aid in the analysis of individual driving situations. Readers are encouraged to consult with their family members and healthcare providers to analyze their specific needs related to driving and driver modification.

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

HIG-PC

¹ According to Insurance Information Institute data, compared to drivers of other ages, older drivers have fewer incidents of police-reported accidents. Adults over 65 account for 15 percent of drivers, but are only involved in 8 percent of crashes. By comparison, those 16-25 account for 13 percent of drivers and are involved in 27 percent of crashes. Those 25-64 make up 72 percent of drivers and account for 66 percent of crashes.