There are many ways our driving abilities are impacted as we age. That is why it’s common to find many seniors keeping their head off the road frequently than they did when they were younger. Hence, it’s recommended for older drivers to exercise self-restriction and undergo self-assessment if they must continue driving as they age.
Calregistry.com wants to help keep you safe, that is why we share these this information with you and your family members. After the age of 75, our reaction mechanism and alertness level are drastically reduced. And these are two essential attributes that guarantee safety when driving. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety opined that the risk of collision for every mile driven is higher for senior citizens that younger adults. Therefore, seniors and their family members must pay close attention to their driving skills and watch out for age-related lapses as well.
Seniors may need to adapt their driving habits and make necessary adjustments as they age. But a time will come when they may have to decide to hang up their keys for their safety. Here are some of the age-related factors that may impact one’s driving skills.
- Vision and hearing loss
Eye disease such as glaucoma can cause vision loss and effect clearly seeing road signs and an emergency stop. Hearing loss can make it very unsafe for a driver when they lose the ability to hear emergency sirens or the bell sounds at a railroad crossing. It’s recommended that seniors review their driving skills as soon as they begin to suffer from vision impairment or hearing loss.
- Mobility and motor functions
The flexibility of the joints becomes harder as people age. More so, they become stiffer and may not respond quickly to stimuli. As a result, you might not be able to turn your head when changing lanes or operate the brake pedals without experiencing difficulty.
- Effects of some medications
Some drugs can impact your driving skills. For instance, drugs used for the treatment of depression, sleep aids and diabetes. You can ask your doctor whether your medications can impact your driving skills negatively.
- Medical condition
Seniors that suffer from medical conditions which include trauma, diabetes, nervous system disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, Parkinson’s disease, and high blood pressure may not be able to observe proper safety tips while driving.
- Taking a refresher course
A refresher course such as the AARP Driver Safety Program is suitable for the elderly who are 65 years and older. It’s an avenue for seniors to access their driving skills and stay safe while driving. Taking such a course will enable older adults to determine how best to adjust their skills so they can drive safely.
Know When to Quit Driving
One of the benefits of assessing your driving skills is that it might help you realise it’s time to hand up the keys. You might also be told to stop driving for the sake of your health and the safety of others on the road. However, it’s essential to realise that retiring from driving is a normal part of ageing and not a disadvantage in any way.
It’s better to hang up your car keys when driving becomes too stressful and be happy rather than risk hurting yourself and others.
Call us today for additional tips on how to deal with safety issues as we age 800 777-7575
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638 Lindero Canyon Rd #172
Oak Park, CA 91377
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