Enhancing Senior Independence through Vehicle Safety and Technology

In this episode, Dr. Joe Casciani is joined by Jennifer Morrison, an expert in vehicle safety at Mazda. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of automotive safety, with a focus on how advanced car technologies can help prolong senior independence. They discuss critical safety features, the importance of behavioral safety, and recommendations for selecting the safest vehicles for older adults. The conversation also touches on car safety ratings, electronic system familiarity, and the potential future of driverless vehicles. Jennifer shares insights on the latest crash avoidance and crash-worthiness features. They also discuss their perspectives on maintaining confidence in driving as we age. The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of autonomous vehicle technology and driverless taxi programs. What are their implications for senior mobility? Mini Bio Jennifer Morrison oversees vehicle safety strategy and communications for Mazda North American Operations. She is responsible for compliance with federal safety regulations, crash testing and consumer rating programs, and the thoughtful deployment of advanced driver assistance technologies for all US vehicles. Jennifer started her career in transportation safety in the Office of Defect Investigations at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). She then spent 15 years as a Vehicle Factors Investigator and Investigator-in-Charge at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) where she investigated over 70 major crashes involving trucks, buses, cars, and trains. The experience turned her into a dedicated safety advocate, focusing on collision avoidance, vehicle crashworthiness, and data-driven improvements to transportation safety. Jennifer has degrees in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and Applied Automotive Technology from Montgomery College. She has held various leadership positions within Washington, DC based automotive industry groups, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the SAE Washington DC Section, where she mentors and connects automotive engineers. For Our Listeners Insurance Institue for Highway Safety: IIHS.org National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: NHTSA.gov Mazda USA