Senior Driving
Safety Tips, Warning Signs, and Knowing When to Stop
By Chris Smith, North Dallas LIVING WELL Magazine
As we age, it’s normal for our driving abilities to change. Aging doesn’t automatically mean we need to stop driving. However, it does mean we have to pay attention to any warning signs that age is interfering with our driving safety and make appropriate adjustments. By reducing risk factors and incorporating safe driving practices, many of us can continue driving safely long into our senior years.
Even if you find you need to reduce your driving or eventually give up the keys, it doesn’t mean the end of your independence. Seeking alternative methods of transportation can offer many other health and social benefits, as well as a welcome change of pace to life.
Understand how aging affects driving
Aging tends to result in a reduction of strength, coordination, and flexibility, which can have a major impact on your ability to safely control a car.
You may have been driving your entire life, and take great pride in your safety record. But as you age, it is critical to realize your driving ability can change. To continue driving safely, you need to know changes can happen. Get help when they do, and be willing to listen if relatives, friends, or others voice concerns about your driving. It may be time to take a hard, honest look at your driving ability.
Know the warning signs of unsafe driving
Sometimes unsafe signs can come up gradually, or a recent change in health may hasten problems. Even if the individual warning signs seem minor, together they can add up to a substantial risk.
Issues with health
Health problems don’t always mean driving needs to be stopped, but they do require extra vigilance, awareness, and willingness to correct them.
- Conflicting medications. Certain medications or combinations of medications can affect senses and reflexes.
- Eyesight problems. Some eye conditions or medications can interfere with your ability to focus your peripheral vision, or cause you to experience extra sensitivity to light, trouble seeing in the dark, or blurred vision.
- Hearing problems. If your hearing is decreasing, you may not realize you’re missing out on important cues to driving safely.
- Problems with reflexes and range of motion. Can you react quickly enough if you need to brake suddenly or quickly look back?
- Problems with memory. Do you find yourself missing exits that used to be second nature, or find yourself getting lost frequently?
Regular check-ups are critical to keep you in the best possible driving shape.
Know your limitations
If a driving situation makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. For instance, you may decide to drive only during daylight hours if you have trouble seeing well in reduced light. If fast-moving traffic bothers you, consider staying off freeways or highways and find street routes instead. You may also decide to avoid driving in bad weather. If you are going to an unfamiliar place, plan your route before you leave so you feel more confident and avoid getting lost.
Adjust to life without driving
Adjusting to life without a car may be challenging at first. Most likely, you’ve been driving your whole life and it feels like quite a shock. It’s normal to be frustrated, angry, or irritable. You might even feel ashamed or worry you are losing your independence. It takes a lot of courage to stop driving and put the safety of yourself and others first. You may find there are many benefits to living without a car. For example, you may:
- Save money on the cost of car ownership.
- Improve your health. Regular exercise is good for your body, mind, mood, and memory.
- Expand your social circle. While many seniors have difficulty accepting offers of rides from others, this can be a good time to reach out and connect to new people.
Know your transportation alternatives
This may also be a time to evaluate your living arrangements. If you are isolated and there are few transportation choices in your area, you may want to consider senior living options, such as ParkGate Active Adult Retirement. With just 46 apartments, ParkGate provides convenient scheduled transportation for residents using private cars. This accommodation is included in the monthly rental fee.
Chris Smith is the director of marketing at ParkGate Active Adult Retirement Community, a charming, contemporary residence for professional and active mature adults. ParkGate’s residents receive the highest level of personal service and most extensive array of amenities in close proximity to the cultural heart of Dallas. To learn more about the affordable, care-free lifestyle offered at ParkGate, please visit their website at ParkGateDallas.com.
