Growing older is not without its difficulties, and many seniors are naturally reluctant to give up their freedom, including their right to drive. Many seniors stay on the road well into retirement.
Many senior citizens eventually reach a point where they realize they should no longer drive. Unfortunately, some older adults fail to recognize they have reached that point. Here are tips for seniors to stay safe on the road, signs it may be time to stop driving, and advice for friends and family concerned about a loved one's driving ability.
ONLY DRIVE UNDER IDEAL CONDITIONS
Normal age-related changes in vision that commonly affect seniors can dramatically reduce the ability to see well at night. As people age, the pupils don't dilate as much. This reduces the light that enters the eye. In comparison to a young adult, an older adult's vision is akin to wearing sunglasses at night.
Eye diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, change the cornea, lenses, and field of vision. These diseases often progress so slowly the person isn't fully aware their vision has diminished.
Older people also often struggle with reduced mobility and decreased response time. This can make controlling a vehicle difficult when the unexpected occurs, such as the car in front of them suddenly braking, a deer jumps out of nowhere, or winter roads are icy.
Senior citizens should plan their outings during daylight hours whenever possible, so they don't have to deal with night blindness. They are less likely to encounter animals as well. If weather conditions are adverse, seniors should delay errands until conditions have improved. Older adults should also keep the radio off or turned low so they can be better aware of their surroundings.
STAY OFF THE INTERSTATE
Even younger drivers can feel overwhelmed when driving on busy multi-lane freeways. In densely populated metropolitan areas, drivers may be speeding down 12 lanes one minute and standing still in rush hour traffic the next.
Drivers must be hyper-alert to the constantly changing lanes of traffic and traffic speeds, which frequently far surpasses the legal limits. Paradoxically, the situation on interstate highways often requires drivers to speed for added safety as going slower than the rest of traffic can be dangerous.
Older drivers can reduce stress and potentially avoid an accident by taking alternative routes to get where they are going. If this isn't possible, seniors should consider public transportation options or ask friends and family members for help.
ASSESS YOUR MEDICATION
Many senior citizens take at least one drug that is linked to falls or motor vehicle accidents. For example, common blood pressure and heart disease medications have side effects that may make driving dangerous. Seniors should periodically have their medications evaluated by their physician to see if any may be adversely affecting their driving ability.
RECOGNIZE WHEN THE TIME HAS COME TO STOP DRIVING
No one wants to admit they are no longer able to do something they once could. However, ignoring these signs could potentially prove dangerous:
- Other drivers routinely honk or display frustration
- Drifting into other lanes
- Increased anxiety when driving
- Loss of concentration
- Increased confusion
- Difficulty seeing
- Involvement in fender benders
- Driving slower than traffic
REQUEST A DRIVING ASSESSMENT
Anyone concerned about an older driver's capabilities behind the wheel can request an assessment of someone's driving skills. When a state receives a medical and/or vision review request on a driver, the person must be medically cleared by a doctor. Physicians often rely on certified driver rehabilitation specialists for their assessment.
People worried about a loved one's driving ability or those the state mandated get a medical review should reach out to Taggart's Driving School. We offer DriveABLE On-Road Evaluation testing to determine science-based cognitive ability in older drivers.
Contact us today to learn more.
