Driving Safety for Older Adults

by Joyce Remy

Through 45 years of driving, Rachel had a perfect driving record. But last month, the 66-year-old was involved in two minor collisions, receiving a traffic citation for one. Rachel worries that she is not as good a driver as she once was. And she has read recent newspaper stories about accidents involving older drivers.

Assessing Driving Skills

For most Americans, the automobile represents independence, control and mobility. We couldn't wait to get our first drivers license and access to the family car when we were teenagers...and we'd like to keep driving as long as possible. But the normal changes of aging can make driving more challenging. Impediments to safe driving include...

• hearing loss
• vision problems
• decreased reaction time
• memory loss
• limited manual dexterity

In addition, the loss of depth perception and peripheral vision may narrow the margin of safety on crowded roads and highways.

Older adults and their families should assess driving ability periodically, both to determine ways of improving driving skills, and to evaluate whether the individual is still capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

Making Changes for Safer Driving

There are several good ways to improve driving skills and to extend safe driving capability:

1. Consider taking a refresher driving course. Classes on defensive driving for older drivers focus on specific strategies for dealing with the impact of the aging process on driving. See "To Find a Driver Safety Class," below, for some useful links.
   
   
2. When filling any prescriptions, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications have any potential side effects that could hinder your ability to drive.
   
   
3. Have regular eye examinations, and keep your glasses prescription current.
   
   
4. Make sure your car is in good working condition. Have it checked not only for mechanical problems and other defects.
   
   
5. Keep windows, mirrors, windshields, and wiper blades clean, as well as headlights, taillights, and turn signals. 
   
   
6. Have your tires regularly checked for low air pressure and excessive tread wear.
   
   
7. Make modifications to the vehicle itself for enhanced driving safety. For example: improved side and rear-view mirrors; a rear-window brake light; a back-up warning buzzer; steering wheel grips; and pedal adjustments.
   
   
8. If the car is large and difficult to maneuver, consider trading it for a smaller car, which might be easier to handle and park.
   
   
9. To avoid the most challenging driving situations, investigate route and time of day adjustments. If night vision has diminished, car trips should be scheduled during daylight hours. Busy highways and rush hour traffic can be avoided with some advance planning and allowance for additional travel time. Boarding buses at Park and Ride lots can eliminate driving in the most congested areas.
   
   
10. Make sure that insurance is adequate and kept current.

Checklist for a Safe Car Trip

Whether you're going to the market or on a vacation trip, here are some things to consider before you turn the key:

• Plan your route before you leave, and then stick to that route.
• If you're uncomfortable driving at high speeds, avoid the freeway. Just allow more travel time for your trip.
• Try to steer clear of rush hour traffic and congested routes.
• Buckle up! Everyone in your car should wear a seatbelt. (Remember: airbags are supplements to seatbelts, not substitutes.)
• Make yourself visible by turning on headlights in poor weather, even during daylight hours.
• Always use turn signals to indicate your intentions. And be sure your signals stop blinking after you've turned. An unintentional signal could result in an accident. 
• Look in your mirrors frequently, and always use a head-check to your "blind spot" when changing lanes.
• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid distractions by keeping radio volume low and conversations to a minimum.

To Find a Driver Safety Class

The Washington Department of Licensing maintains a list of Senior Driver Accident Prevention Programs in the area.

Driver Improvement classes are also available through the American Automobile Association of Washington. Click here for a schedule of Seattle-area classes. 

The AARP website offers information on safe driving for older adults and the AARP Driver Safety Program.

For more information about senior driving safety, see "Links You Can Use" in this issue of Seniors Digest. And if you would like to cut back on driving, see "If It's Time to Give Up the Car" in next month's issue for information about alternative transportation solutions in our area.

2005, Caresource Healthcare Communications