Back to work again for a week, I’m noticing many different drivers on the highway still using their cell phones and texting. Some are not paying attention and some are driving in the passing lane all their way to their destination.
Being a senior I wonder how I drive, if I follow all the rules and regulations. I found an article on older drivers and tips on understanding how aging affects driving. Some of you might want to hear this and others not, but here it goes anyway.
Did you know everyone ages differently, so there is no cut off as to when someone should stop driving. However, some older adults are more likely to receive traffic tickets and get into more accidents than younger drivers. Decreased vision, impaired hearing or slowed motor reflexes may cause a problem for some of us.
Aging tends to result in a reduction of strength, co-ordination, and flexibility that may have a major impact on your ability to safely control a vehicle. If you have pain or stiffness in your neck, it could make it harder to look over your shoulder to change lanes or look left or right at intersections and to check for traffic and maybe even pedestrians.
If you have leg pain it can make it difficult to move your foot from gas pedal to brake pedal. Arm strength may make it hard to turn the steering wheel effectively and quickly. You may be slower to spot vehicles emerging from side street or driveway, your reaction sometimes slows down. Also you may not realize the car in front of you has stopped.
Keeping track of so many road signs, especially highway construction, signals and markings, as well as all the other traffic and pedestrians can also become more difficult as you lose the ability to effectively divide your attention between multiple activities.
Aging does not automatically equal total loss of driving ability. Take charge of your health. Get your eyes checked every year, have your hearing checked annually, get enough sleep so you will be alert and talk to your doctor about your medication to see if it will have any effects on your driving.
Sometimes alternatives in transportation might be a good idea such as public transportation, ride sharing, community shuttles and taxis or private drivers. Walking is always good and even cycling if you’re able and a motorized wheelchair can be a good way to get around.
How would you talk to your loved ones about driving concerns? It is a sensitive issue. Driving is not a privilege that anyone wants to relinquish willingly. Still, safety must come first. Some older drivers may be aware of their faltering ability. When you talk to these loved ones please be respectful, but at the same time, don’t be intimidated or back down if you have a true concern. Give a specific example if you can.
Try to help find alternatives but if your family member is reluctant to ask for help it may lead to isolation and depression. Try to understand the difficulty of the transition and don’t dismiss their feelings. Adjusting your life without a car may be challenging at first. Most of you have probably been driving your whole life and it will probably feel like quite a shock. It’s normal to be frustrated, angry, or maybe irritable. But you may find there are many benefits to living without a car that you may not have considered. First of all you will be able to save money on car insurance, maintenance, registration and gasoline. Sometimes by giving up your key you may improve your health, by walking or cycling, which can have a hugely beneficial effect. Regular exercise can boost your energy, make you sleep better and may improve your confidence. It can also help you manage the symptoms of illness and pain, maintain independence and even reverse some signs of aging. Not only is exercise good for your body but it’s good for your mind, mood and memory.
