It is no secret that while driving is useful, it can certainly be dangerous. It requires constant focus and attention, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes among many other things. As there are many outside factors such as other drivers, and changing road and weather conditions, driving is always unexpected. For aging adults, driving may no longer be safe due to factors like compromised mobility or slowing reflexes. There are many factors to consider when weighing out when it is time to stop driving, such as health, vision, and mobility. It is also important to have alternative methods of transport in case it is necessary to stop driving.
Look Out for Warning Signs
Driving requires good mental as well as physical health as it is a complicated task that requires alert senses and constant coordination. Incidents like collisions, vehicle damage, crashes and repeated traffic violations are the more severe and obvious signs of unsafe driving. There are also smaller but no less dangerous signs such as:
- Failure to follow traffic lights and signs
- Violation of safety rules like speed limits
- Forgetting to signal when turning or switching lanes
- Lack of control over the vehicle
- Difficulty gauging distance
- Difficulty merging and changing lanes
- Anxiety and stress while driving
- Road rage
These are all important signs to note when deciding to stop driving. Even the less severe signs can eventually lead to bigger accidents and should be taken seriously.
Get a Professional Health Assessment
Certain aspects of ailing health may not be immediately obvious. Hence, it is important to visit a health professional for a thorough assessment. The health professional can check if you or your loved one has the healthy vision, hearing, reflexes, and physical coordination needed to be able to drive. Regardless of age, being able to see and hear is vital to driving as drivers need to identify and quickly avoid any hazards and obstacles on the road.
If you or your loved ones have more specific conditions such as glaucoma, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, cataracts, arthritis, seizures, diabetes, and other chronic issues, it is especially important to get an assessment. As you may be taking certain medicines or undergoing treatments, there could be side effects or new risks to consider. Thus, a healthcare professional is best suited to recommend if driving is no longer safe.
Prioritize Safety
Safety is the first priority when it comes to deciding to stop driving. At the end of the day, roads are a shared space and drivers need to be responsible for ensuring that they drive safely. Making a responsible decision regarding the choice to stop driving is being considerate of other drivers on the road. Choosing to stop driving when one may no longer be fully capable also alleviates any worries loved ones may have about the safety of the would-be driver.
Look for Transport Alternatives
As driving is a key mode of transport for many people, you can explore alternative means of transport after deciding to stop driving. Carpool services and apps such as Uber and Lyft are convenient and widespread methods of traveling. In addition to public transport and ride-sharing services, for more personalized needs, concierge and transport services are available in our retirement community.
