Edmunds.com -- It's called the "silver tsunami": a huge wave of aging baby boomers that will build to its peak as that demographic enters its geriatric years. The 70-plus crowd is projected to increase from 30.1 million in 2013 to 53.7 million by 2030, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), citing U.S. Census Bureau data.

This means there will be more aging drivers on U.S. roads in the coming years, continuing a trend that's been building for more than a decade. The IIHS estimated that the number of licensed drivers 70 years old and older jumped 30 percent between 1997 and 2012. Older drivers have also been traveling more miles. From 1996-2008, average yearly mileage for drivers 70 and older rose by 42 percent.

The IIHS notes that fewer people in their 70s are licensed to drive than are drivers between ages 20 and 69. And motorists in their 70s also log fewer miles than younger ones. But boomers are nevertheless keeping their licenses longer than previous generations and make up a bigger proportion of the driving population than in past years.

Help for Boomers Behind the Wheel
From music to medical care, baby boomers have exerted enormous influence on society and they will likely rewrite the rules of what it means to age and drive, too. But boomer drivers can't escape the toll that aging can take. AAA points out that nearly 90 percent of motorists age 65 and older suffer from health issues that may affect driver safety.

At the same time, however, mobility is important to mental health. For many aging people, driving is synonymous with independence.

"Helping seniors remain mobile with new technologies and a good car fit is important for quality of life," says AAA spokesman Michael Green. "Older Americans who have stopped driving are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression and nearly five times as likely to enter a long-term care facility compared to those who remain behind the wheel."

Fortunately, the technology that makes cars safer for everyone is arriving just in time to be particularly useful for aging motorists. Groups such as AAA and AARP offer resources that can help older drivers understand new technology and pick a vehicle that's best suited to their age and abilities.

"Older drivers should consider choosing vehicles that best meet their needs in order to improve safety and comfort behind the wheel," adds Green. 

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/car-technology-that-helps-older-drivers.html

VS41 Enables Blind-Spot Elimination, Front, and Rearview Cameras that are Automatically Triggered by Driver Behavior

CLEARWATER, FL - (August 31, 2016) – Safety continues to be the most important topic in the automotive industry, and PAC, a Power Brand of AAMP Global, is addressing the subject with the launch of its VS41 intelligent 4-camera switcher. The camera interface is small, compact, and designed for easy installation, automatically triggering the inputs based on driver behavior. The new VS41, combined with EchoMaster or other aftermarket cameras, and a compatible radio, provides a complete integrated safety solution for drivers. It enables a front, left and right, and reverse cameras to be quickly added to an aftermarket radio, or factory radio (with the addition of a camera interface).

“Late model cars are now equipped with various types of cameras but there are millions of vehicles on the road today that lack this important feature. The VS41 and a properly configured camera system gives drivers increased awareness they are seeking,” said Nathan Wincek, senior product manager of Integration Products for AAMP Global.

The back-up input on the VS41 is triggered by simply shifting the vehicle into reverse making the input a priority to display the reverse camera feed on the radio. This is especially helpful with large vehicles like trucks and vans that make it extremely difficult to see what is behind the vehicle while backing up. The left and right inputs are activated by the vehicle’s turn signals, with the VS41 automatically creating a constant output to ensure the driver sees a steady, uninterrupted view from the connected side cameras. Drivers will gain confidence and feel safer while changing lanes knowing that blind spots are now visible on the display of the radio. 

VS41 key features include;
 4-camera input (front, rear, and left and right side cameras)
 Works with OE or aftermarket radios (OE requires interface)
 Priority override for back-up camera signal
 Connects directly to analog turn-signal circuit with flash eliminating signal buffer for uninterrupted side
camera activation
 Provides back-up camera "reverse" trigger to aftermarket radio

The PAC VS41 is available now at authorized PAC retailers for a suggested retail price of $149.95.

4/19/2016 -- Swann Electronics releases the DriveEye Ultra HD dash cam video recorder to help boost 12-volt safety market. The dash cam features G-sensory technology that detects collisions and prevents overwriting footage. 

Features include:

• Full-HD 1080p 1920x1080 video recorder and 3 Megapixel Camera
• G-Sensory Technology detects collisions and prevents overwriting footage
• 120-degree wide angle lens at 1080p (140 degree at 720p)
• Built-in HDMI Output for easy viewing on any display
• Automatic video stabilization eliminates jittery videos
• Supports up to a 64 GB SD card for recordings up to 2000 minutes
• Lithium ion battery for video recording when not connect to a power source

The device has an MSRP of $179.99. For more information, visit: www.swann.com