Active Living: Safe Driving
By Michele Blandino
For many senior citizens, the ability to drive is one of the key factors that could mean the difference between continuing to live independently and having to move in with a child or other relative or even to an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Given this, it is easy to see why many seniors will do whatever they can to keep others from noticing that their driving skills aren’t as sharp as they could – or should – be. Even so, for their safety, as well as for that of those around them, it is important that the necessary steps be taken to ensure that a senior citizen getting behind the wheel does not pose a threat to themselves or to an innocent bystander.
Health Factors
Two of the biggest factors affecting a senior citizen’s ability to drive are their vision and their hearing. Consequently, regular examinations are crucial to ensuring that their corrective devices (glasses and hearing aids) are adequately addressing the driver’s deficiency. If they are not, adjustments need to be made.
Close attention should also be paid to any chronic conditions the driver may have such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease which can greatly limit their ability to safely operate an automobile. Seniors with these and any similar ailments should consult with their doctor to obtain their opinion regarding their ability to drive. As part of this conversation, the effects of any medication should also be considered.
Other Factors
There are plenty of warning signs that can indicate that perhaps it is time for a senior driver to yield the wheel to another driver. The first most obvious sign is an increase in the number of accidents or “close calls” a driver has. In increase in the number of scratches, dents and other damage to the car could also indicate that there is a problem. Additionally, drivers who have difficulty staying in their lane, those who seem to get lost more frequently and those who seem to not notice key traffic signs such as stop signs and traffic lights may also be nearing the end of their driving days. Sometimes, however, the most telling sign comes directly from the driver specifically, one who expresses anxiety over driving or seems reluctant to drive. This is a key indication that perhaps the driver is losing confidence in their own abilities.
What Can be Done
Many local hospitals, senior citizens centers and other community organizations regularly hold driver training refresher courses designed specifically for drivers over the age of 55. These courses reinforce the responsibility each driver has to ensure they are capable of properly operating an automobile and in some cases, provides tips on how to compensate for certain deficiencies. Similar courses are offered by AARP; you can check their website to see if courses have been scheduled for your area.
If you decide it is time to stop driving, the AARP can also be of assistance in helping you to identify other means of transportation including mass transit, senior ride-sharing programs and other similar services.
