Simple Safe Driving
Suggestions for Older Drivers
Suggestions for Older Drivers
Being able to get behind the wheel and go provides a powerful sense of independence, and no one knows this better than those of us who have been driving for decades. The information provided on this site has one simple goal: To help you continue driving as safely as possible for as long as possible.
Get regular vision and hearing exams.
Many of us experience some deterioration in our eyesight and gradual loss of hearing as we get older. Fortunately, many vision problems can be corrected with glasses or contact lens, and hearing aids can often restore at least part of lost hearing.
Glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration are common among older adults and can lead to serious vision issues, but even these conditions generally can be managed through proper medical treatment.
The key is to schedule regular visits to have your eyes and ears checked — every year or two for vision exams and every two to three years for hearing tests is the typical recommendation unless you have a condition that requires more frequent visits.
Loss of contrast, which begins in our 30s and worsens with increasing age, can make driving in the evening or at night much more difficult for older drivers. If you have trouble after dark reading signs or pavement markings, or distinguishing objects from their background (for example, a pedestrian or someone on a bike), consider limiting your driving to daytime.
“Something as basic as walking briskly for 30 minutes each day can go a long way toward maintaining good health at any age.”
Be physically active.
Just like maintaining your vehicle in top condition can help you avoid mishaps on the road, keeping your body functioning at its best can also help you stay safe when you drive. Stiff joints, back pain, and muscle weakness can make it hard to get in and out of your vehicle, look over your shoulder to check for blind spots, turn the steering wheel, or even switch your foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal.
Something as basic as walking briskly for 30 minutes each day (even if it’s in 10-minute segments), along with a routine that includes stretching and strength-building exercises, will go a long way toward maintaining the flexibility, mobility, strength, coordination, and range of motion you need to drive safely. Improving your physical health can improve your reaction time, as well—and that’s a benefit for any driver.
If you’ve been sedentary, talk with your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen.
Exercise your brain.
Being able to concentrate, process information accurately and quickly, and make appropriate decisions are all crucial skills when you’re behind the wheel. Anyone who has ever been in an accident knows that seconds count, and having a slower reaction time increases your risk of being involved in a crash.
Research demonstrates that you can keep your mind sharper and more agile by challenging it: doing crossword or jigsaw puzzles, learning a new language, taking music lessons or taking up a new hobby, reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction materials, staying socially engaged. Research also shows that physical exercise can stimulate nerve growth in the brain.
You can also compensate to some extent for slower reaction time by eliminating distractions inside your vehicle, increasing the distance between your vehicle and the one you’re following, staying away from areas where traffic is congested, not driving during rush hour, scanning the road ahead of you to anticipate problems, and minimizing the need to make left turns.
“Be sure you know what the potential side effects of any medication your taking and whether they can interfere with your ability to drive safely.”
Take a refresher course.
Older drivers are among the safest on the road because of their experience and mature judgment. Still, even seasoned drivers can benefit from taking a refresher course on safe driving habits. If you’ve been driving for 30 or 40 years or longer, a refresher course can jog your memory, and you can learn about rules of the road and driving techniques that have changed since you obtained your license. Some courses are available online, while others are provided in a classroom setting, and many are designed specifically for older drivers. Please note that these courses do not require you to take a driving test — they simply offer helpful information you can put to use whenever you are on the road.
Completing a driver safety course might even make you eligible for a discount on your insurance premium. Ask your insurance agent or company if this type of arrangement is available with your current coverage.
You can also use online resources to screen your driving skills, or have a professional driver rehabilitation specialist assess them and make recommendations to help you improve in areas that might need a little fine-tuning. Another option is to have a friend or family member ride along with you to see if there are any noticeable issues that need to be addressed.
“It’s very important to make sure you’re comfortable when driving in the various settings and conditions you may find yourself throughout the year. If you’re no longer comfortable in certain situations, be sure to tell a family member or friend.”
Acknowledge your limitations.
As mentioned above, if you’re uncomfortable driving after dark, it’s a good idea to limit your driving to daytime. Likewise, if driving in heavy or fast-moving traffic makes you uneasy, avoid driving during rush hour or on busy highways. If you don’t feel safe driving in bad weather or taking an unfamiliar route, wait until the weather is better and stick to familiar roads. If you need to go somewhere that would involve driving at a time or taking a route that would make you feel unsafe, see if someone else can drive or consider another way of getting there, such as a bus, taxi, or shuttle service.
If a medical condition such as arthritis is creating physical limitations that interfere with your ability to drive safely, physical therapy might alleviate the problem. Another option is to see if adaptive devices can be installed in your vehicle that would make it safer and more comfortable for you to drive.
Make sure your vehicle fits you.
Goldilocks had the right idea: She wanted everything to be “just right” for her. In a similar fashion, your vehicle should be just right for you. You should be able to get in and out of it easily, sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel and see at least 10 feet in front of the vehicle, reach the foot pedals without any problems, and sit comfortably in the driver’s seat for as long as you’re on the road.
Services and programs such as CarFit are available to assess how well your vehicle fits you. If the professionals offering these services find any issues, they may be able to recommend adaptive devices that can be installed to address those issues or suggest other vehicles that would suit you better. CarFit may also be able to give you information about other resources in your community that promote safe driving for older adults.
If buying a new vehicle is an option, many newer models have features that can increase your safety behind the wheel, such as drowsy driver alert systems, and cameras and sensors to assist you when you back your vehicle out of a parking space or driveway.
“Because you’re sometimes riding with the most precious kids in the world, it’s important to always use your experience and good judgment when driving … even on short trips to the zoo or museum.”
Use your maturity to your advantage.
Younger drivers frequently get into trouble because they lack the experience and good judgment required to drive safely. As an older driver, you’ve learned the value of planning ahead (such as mapping out your route before you leave, and giving yourself ample time to get there), acting responsibly (for example, not driving after you’ve been drinking), focusing on the task at hand (not eating, making phone calls, or engaging in other distracting behaviors while you drive), and understanding the consequences of your decisions.
Contact your insurance agent or insurance company and ask for information they can provide that will help you continue to drive safely.