At age 78, Sheila thinks she's a good driver, but, this year, she's had a minor accident and several near misses. She's noticed a few new dents on her car and doesn't know how they got there. Sheila wonders how she can stay safe behind the wheel. Show Have you been worried about your driving? Have your family or friends expressed concern? Changes in your health may affect your driving skills over time. Don't risk hurting yourself or others. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about your health and driving. Stiff Joints and MusclesAs you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect your ability to drive. These changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely. Safe driving tips:
Trouble SeeingYour eyesight can change as you get older. It might be harder to see people, things, and movement outside your direct line of sight. It may take longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or street lights can be a problem. Depending on the time of the day, the sun might be blinding. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems. Safe driving tips:
Trouble HearingAs you get older, your hearing can change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or even noises coming from your own car. Hearing loss can be a problem because these sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way. Safe driving tips:
In the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they need to stop. People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems. Family and friends need to monitor the person's driving ability and take action as soon as they observe a potential problem, such as forgetting how to find familiar places like the grocery store or even their home. Work with the doctor to let the person know it's no longer safe to keep driving. Learn more about driving safety and Alzheimer's disease. Slower Reaction Time and ReflexesAs you get older, your reflexes might get slower, and you might not react as quickly as you could in the past. You might find that you have a shorter attention span, making it harder to do two things at once. Stiff joints or weak muscles also can make it harder to move quickly. Loss of feeling or tingling in your fingers and feet can make it difficult to steer or use the foot pedals. Parkinson's disease or limitations following a stroke can make it no longer safe to drive. Safe driving tips:
Medications Can Affect DrivingDo you take any medicines that make you feel drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than usual? Do medicines you take have a warning about driving? Many medications have side effects that can make driving unsafe. Pay attention to how these drugs may affect your driving. Safe driving tips:
Be a Safe DriverMaybe you already know that driving at night, on the highway, or in bad weather is a problem for you. Some older drivers also have problems when yielding the right of way, turning (especially making left turns), changing lanes, passing, and using expressway ramps. Safe driving tips:
Do You Have Concerns About an Older Driver?Are you worried about an older family member or friend driving? Sometimes, it can be hard for an older person to realize that he or she is no longer a safe driver. You might want to observe the person's driving skills. If it's not possible to observe the older person driving, look out for these signs:
Talking with an older person about his or her driving is often difficult. Here are some things that might help when having the talk.
Is It Time to Give Up Driving?We all age differently. For this reason, there is no way to set one age when everyone should stop driving. So, how do you know if you should stop? To help decide, ask yourself:
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be time to talk with your doctor about driving or have a driving assessment. How Will You Get Around?Are you worried you won't be able to do the things you want and need to do if you stop driving? Many people have this concern, but there may be more ways to get around than you think. For example, some areas provide free or low-cost bus or taxi services for older people. Some communities offer a carpool service or scheduled trips to the grocery store, mall, or doctor's office. Religious and civic groups sometimes have volunteers who will drive you where you want to go. Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find services in your area. Call 1-800-677-1116, or go to https://eldercare.acl.gov to find your nearest Area Agency on Aging. You can also think about using a car or ride-sharing service. Sound pricey? Don't forget—it costs a lot to own a car. If you don't have to make car payments or pay for insurance, maintenance, gas, oil, or other car expenses, then you may be able to afford to take taxis or other transportation. You can also buy gas for friends or family members who give you rides. Before you leave home:
While you are driving:
Read about this topic in Spanish. Lea sobre este tema en español. For More Information About Driving |