Driving Alert : Assessing Skills of Older Drivers

If you know an older driver, you may be concerned or wondering just how long driving will remain a viable, safe option

Here is a checklist of warning signs which may indicate that a "refresher" course or a change in driving habits is in order. Other factors which impact driving are of course vision, physical health and cogntive ability.

My next few postings will be dedicated to the issues surrounding safe driving for older adults as well as how to open discussions about when it's time to stop driving.

When reviewing this checklist, consider the frequency and timing of incidents.  Minor incidents may not require any action but a cluster of these "warning signs" or frequent incidents may indicate that a more comprehensive assessment of driving safety is needed.

Signs of Risk

• Hitting curbs
• Unexplained dents and fender benders
• Failure to notice stop signs, traffic lights
• Difficulty parking
• Other drivers frequntly honking
• Incorrect or lack of signaling
• Ticketed moving violations or warnings
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Difficulty managing lane changes
• Reliance on a "co-pilot"
• Failure to yield right-of-way

 

Helping an older driver to consider changes in driving habits, using alternative transportation or to stop driving is not often easy. But there are many resources now available to help families to face and cope with these decisions.

Keep an eye open for upcoming posts on how to open these conversations; how to find alternative solutions and how to make changes to driving behaviors.