Finding Your Way to Safe Driving
Finding Your Way to Safe Driving
As we age, there’s no doubt that driving gets more difficult. For one, our reactions are slower, as our physical and cognitive functions decline. This comes at a time when there are more distractions—GPS, cell phones, digital music players—and more congested roads and aggressive drivers.
As a group, senior drivers are at higher risk of having a serious collision per mile driven than any other age group except for those under age 25. Starting at age 75, fatal crash rates increase, and rise notably after age 80, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is largely due to a greater susceptibility to injury and medical complications among older drivers rather than an increased tendency to get into crashes. Across all age groups, males had substantially higher death rates than females.
Tips for Safe Driving
You can offset some of the effects of aging by changing your driving habits and other practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises:
- Exercising regularly to increase strength and flexibility.
- Asking your doctor or pharmacist to review medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to reduce side effects and interactions.
- Having eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Wear glasses and corrective lenses as required.
- Driving during daylight and in good weather.
- Finding the safest route with well-lit streets, intersections with left-turn arrows and easy parking.
- Planning your route before you drive.
- Leaving a large following distance behind the car in front of you.
- Avoiding distractions in your car, such as listening to a loud radio, talking on your cell phone, texting or eating.
- Considering potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend or using public transit.
If you are not sure about your (or someone else your concerned about) driving skills, you can enlist the services of driver rehabilitation specialists, who can evaluate your driving in order to determine your ability to be on the road.
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