A Guide to Safe Driving for Senior Citizens

As people grow older, it is quite normal for them to experience a decline in certain abilities and health. Many seniors often succumb to failing eyesight and hearing, changing perception and slower reflexes. All of these factors can greatly affect their driving, leading to unsafe conditions for themselves, passengers and other vehicles on the roads. Seniors as well as family members should actively keep an eye out for indications of declining abilities and take measures to reduce any risks. A common fear among elderly people is that they might lose their independence by not being able to drive on their own. Read on to learn about alternatives for seniors and ways to help them drive safely.

Understand How Old Age Affects Driving Abilities and How to Recognize Symptoms

• Dementia and other types of cognitive impairment can affect memory, perception, judgment and other vital ways in which we normally process information.
• Deterioration in eyesight, hearing and motor skills are the most frequent aspects that affect the seniors drive.
• An older person’s ability to react quickly to sudden or emergency situations can be greatly reduced.
• Diseases such as diabetes, arthritis or Parkinson’s lead to difficulties in ordinary daily life for seniors as well as when they are driving.
• Take a self-assessment quiz online to find out how your driving safety measures up.
• Family members should watch out for lowered levels of concentration, awareness and disorientation in seniors who are driving.
• Use an interactive tool to understand the main areas of the body related to driving that are affected in old age and how common medications can also add to these effects.
• Dexterity and muscle strength decreases in old people and can make long drives quite challenging.
• Even though some symptoms may not be visually obvious, seniors may still be at risk for changes to their mental abilities.
• If a senior often gets lost or very stressed when they are driving, it may be a sign that they need to stop or seek alternative methods.
• While seniors do have more driving experience, it is important to be honest with yourself and recognize disabilities or weaknesses that may prevent you from driving.
• Remember that even healthy seniors can make mistakes in driving or become distracted by the radio or too many people talking in the car.
• Newer technology built into cars as well as changing driving laws can create a great deal of confusion in older drivers.
• Injuries or long-term diseases can take a toll on joint mobility in older people, making driving a difficult task.
• Night vision in seniors declines over time and driving at night with these conditions can be a huge risk.
• Overall, seniors with or without mental diseases have been found to display lowered standards of driving.

Reduce Driving Risks for Seniors

• Discuss medication side-effects with a doctor so that seniors can drive without the risk of drowsiness, dizziness or other symptoms.
• Talk to friends or family members about carpooling or using a ride share program.
• Review alternative options to driving, such as private transportation services for seniors, public transit and more.
• Contact an Area Agency on Aging to find out more about local public services that are offered as alternative forms of transportation for seniors.
• Learn about the statistics linking older drivers and crash rates before making the decision to continue driving in spite of reduced abilities.
• Know when it is time to stop driving by thinking about how other drivers commonly react to you or how many accidents you may have recently been involved in.
• Keeping the car regularly maintained is one way to avoid unexpected emergencies and other driving crises.
• Contact a registered medical or care association to find specific advice and support for senior drivers.
• Families can receive plenty of advice on approaching a senior member to suggest that they stop driving.
• Consult a doctor or a driving rehabilitation specialist to evaluate a senior’s driving skills and provide related advice.
• Seniors should assess their physical and mental abilities before renewing a driving license.
• A standard screening process for elderly drivers includes checking their driving abilities, general health and driving record.
• Driving rehab experts are available statewide and can easily be found online.
• Go through a checklist of warning signs and questions to ask in order to help identify any risks that may be affecting an older person’s driving.

Tips for Seniors to Drive Safely

• Senior drivers should get a proper fitness assessment to make sure that they can still operate a car safely.
• Improving physical fitness and correcting weak eyesight are ways in which seniors can continue driving with lower risks.
• Take a driving refresher course to review driving rules and to check that you can still drive competently.
• Find a car that is adapted to a senior’s needs to help them drive with less strain and effort.
• Install adaptive and safety aids such as seat cushions or lumbar support, pedal extenders and wider mirrors.
• Consider implementing different driving habits, such as only driving during daylight hours and avoiding busy highways.
• Avoid driving while on medication or when you are overly tired to ensure full alertness at the wheel.
• Many seniors may have last taken a driving course in their very early years. It is a good idea to go through a refresher program to learn about new rules and driving safety guidelines.
• Get eyesight and hearing tested regularly and make sure to replace seeing and hearing aids when necessary.
• Plan your route in advance and avoid unfamiliar areas in order to prevent getting lost and confused.

Other Resources for Aging Drivers

• The Princeton Senior Resource Center has collected a number of resources for senior drivers in New Jersey and everywhere.
• The Maine Transportation Safety Coalition has information and links to promote safety for drivers of all ages.
• Specialized Caregiving Resource from the Iowa Family Caregiver has information for older drivers and veterans.
• Emory University has compiled a list of some interesting articles about senior health.
• Vanderbilt provides some great links promoting injury and illness prevention.
• First Presbyterian Church has many articles for seniors regarding driving, fitness and more.
• Elder Times helps you understand when it’s time to stop driving.
• Safe and Mobile Seniors explains how to evaluate your driving skills and lists common errors.
• Some additional online materials about safe driving senior citizens.