The Aging Driver's Safety Guide
The Aging Driver's Safety Guide
Millions of aging adults continue to drive in order to keep their independence. This can be a concern for well-meaning family, friends, and caregivers; worried about the safety of their loved ones, other drivers, and pedestrians. With age, hearing and vision worsens in adults. Changes in the brain can make aging drivers less aware of their surroundings and reduce their ability to respond quickly when on the road. For older adults, the key to staying on the road is being aware of warning signs of unsafe driving and improving driving skills.Here are some suggestions for safe driving:
- Memory problems can cause car accidents when senior drivers venture into unfamiliar territories. Drive on streets close to home, use familiar roads, and consider mapping out a location if traveling to a new destination.
- High stress driving situations can be difficult for some aging adults to handle. Avoid driving during rush hour traffic and plan a route that only uses right turns if left-handed turns are too difficult to maneuver.
- The day before a doctor's appointment or other scheduled meeting, drive to the location. This will prevent getting lost and confused.
- Slowing down helps older drivers to be more aware of their surroundings. Driving too slow however, can also be a hazard. Drive at a reasonable speed based on the posted speed limit.
- Older drivers are more likely to be drowsy at nighttime and have trouble seeing. Run errands in the morning and avoid driving after dusk.
- Look out for signs that driving performance is failing: side swiping parked cars, bumping into mail boxes, backing into other cars in parking lots and driving in the wrong lane could indicate a problem that needs addressing.
- Consider alternative methods of travel. Caregivers, family members and friends can often provide rides. Public transportation could be an option and free shuttle services are available in some areas. Volunteer programs offered by nonprofits and local religious organizations are another possibility.
- Take an accident prevention program. The American Association of Retired Persons provides training specifically for those aged 50 and over; these programs address changing driving laws and age-related issues.
- Stay physically active and get regular checkups to test for joint stiffness and muscle weakness. These health problems can make it harder to press the break or turn your neck to the side to safely make lane changes.
- Medications can cause drowsiness and may require aging drivers to temporarily stop driving. Read all labels and consult with your primary care physician before taking new prescriptions, over the counter drugs, or herbal remedies.
- Get driving skills evaluated with a driver rehabilitation specialist offered by hospitals or an instructor from a private driving school. They provide a comprehensive review of driving capability and make appropriate recommendations.
- Ensure maintenance is done on vehicles being driven by aging drivers to check for: adequate tire pressure, brake fluid levels, dash lights operating correctly, and engine leaks.
If an aging driver becomes a threat on the road due to dementia or other physical or mental impairments, families and other concerned individuals can intervene to protect their loved one and others. Inform the agency responsible for driver testing in your state. They will conduct an investigation and suspend an older adult's license if necessary.Source: http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/the_aging_drivers_safety_guide.htmlImage courtesy of Toa55 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net