Safety Driving Tips for Seniors

The Importance of Safe Driving in Senior Years

Sadly, as drivers age things rapidly go from bad to worse. As if you didn't know it before, bad things happen to drivers when they age. When drivers get older, the likelihood of death or injury in car crashes increases, as does the likelihood that an older driver will be involved in a left-turn crash, be affected by illness or suffer from lapses in perception that could contribute to a crash. About the only thing older drivers seem destined to avoid is a bad case of acne, which affects the other big crash-injury group, teens and young adults.

A new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found drivers over the age of 65 are almost twice as likely to die in car crashes as drivers age 55 to 64. The report also revealed that drivers over 75 were over two and a-half times as likely to die in a car crash and drivers over 85 were almost four times as likely to die when compared to drivers aged 55 to 64.

"As we age, our reaction time and other cognitive skills can diminish," said Peter Kissinger, President of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "For instance, our eyesight deteriorates to such an extent that by age 60 we require 10 times the amount of light necessary to see an object as when we were 16."

"Second only to teen drivers, older drivers are the second most likely group to sustain injuries or death in traffic crashes," said Kissinger. "It is vital that seniors periodically and honestly review their driving performance."

Take this self evaluation test to see if you are being a threat to others while you are driving.

How is your eyesight?

Do you have trouble…

Reading signs easily?
Recognizing someone you know from across the street?
Seeing street markings, other cars, and people walking - especially at dawn, dusk and at night?
Handling headlight glare at night?

If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…

Make sure you always wear your glasses and that the prescription is current.
Keep your windshield, mirrors and headlights clean.
Make sure that your headlights are working and aimed correctly.
Sit high enough in your seat so you can see the road for at least 10 feet in front of your vehicle.
If you are 60 or older, see an eye doctor every year.

Do you have control of your vehicle?

Do you have trouble…

Looking over your shoulder to change lanes?
Moving your foot from the gas to the brake pedal?
Turning the steering wheel?

If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…

Check with your doctor about physical therapy, medicine, stretching exercises, or a walking or fitness program.
Know that an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and other special equipment can make it easier for you to drive your vehicle and use the foot pedals.
Reduce your driver’s side blind spot by moving your mirrors.
Watch for flashing lights of emergency vehicles.
Listen for sounds outside your vehicle.

Does driving make you feel nervous, scared or overwhelmed?

Do you…

Feel confused by traffic signs, and people and cars in traffic?
Take medicine that makes you sleepy?
Get dizzy, or have seizures or losses of consciousness?
React slowly to normal driving situations?

If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…

Ask your doctor if your health or side effects from your medicine can affect your driving.
Take routes that you know.
Try to drive during the day (avoid rush hour).
Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you.
Always scan the road while you are driving so that you are ready for any problems and can plan your actions.

Are loved ones concerned?

Sometimes other people notice things about your driving that you might have missed. Have people who you know and trust said they were concerned about your driving?

If you said "Yes", you should...

Talk with your doctor. Ask him or her to check the side effects of any medicines you are taking.
Think about taking a mature driving class. The AAA, AARP and driving schools offer these classes.
Try walking, carpooling, public transit, and other forms of transportation.

If you drive with children or young adults, you carry an extra responsibility. When used the correct way, child safety seats and safety belts offer the best protection for children and adults who are traveling in a motor vehicle. All 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, require that children be properly secured in a child safety seat or safety belt, as appropriate. Most states also require that motorists and adult passengers be properly buckled in a safety belt.

Don’t forget:

· When you are driving or riding in car, always wear your safety belt. Make sure that every person who is riding with you is also buckled up.

· Keep your drivers license current and abide by all the laws of your state.

· For most of us, as difficult as it may be, there will come a day when it is no longer safe for us to drive an automobile. That is the time when we must listen to our family and friends and hand over the keys to your car before you hurt yourself or endanger someone else’s life. When in doubt always consult with your eye doctor and family physician.

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