Interestingly enough, older drivers are relatively safe drivers in that they use their seat belts and receive few citations for speeding or reckless driving or driving under the influence.  Actually, the number of accidents involving older drivers decreases as age increases.  This can be partially attributed to the fact that many older drivers avoid driving in rush-hour traffic and driving at night or during bad weather. Generally, they drive significantly fewer miles than younger drivers.

There are factors, however, like taking prescription drugs, existing medical conditions, reduced reaction time and overall physical decline that increase the risk of being involved in a collision, particularly after the age of 75.  Fatalities increase to some slight degree after the age of 65 and considerably after 75.  The rate boost is predominantly due to the increased failure to survive physical trauma that commonly occurs with age.

There are some guidelines that can help older drivers drive more safely.  They need to know the side effects of any medications that they are taking and if they might reduce their ability to react when behind the wheel.  Nighttime driving should be reduced, especially because of the glare presented by headlights on approaching vehicles.  A helpful tip is to not look directly at the oncoming headlights but rather look down the road and to the right side of the lane that is being driven in.  Vision should be checked regularly to make sure that vision loss does not impair driving safely.  Cataracts, a common occurrence of aging, should be carefully monitored.  To minimize the impact of visual limitations, it is best for elder drivers to drive in familiar locations and to avoid night driving, particularly in inclement weather.

Even though it is a difficult choice, most seniors decide for themselves when it is time to stop driving.  If this is not the case and you are a caregiver for an elder, then you may have to step in and make an assessment of your elder’s driving ability.  If you make the decision that it is time for them to stop driving, the downside may be that your responsibilities to your elder increase substantially.  You may become the proverbial “taxi,” and find that your already demanding schedule becomes busier yet.  This is when Barton Home Care may be able to help you.  Let us take your elder to appointments, to shop for groceries and other necessities, or out to visit friends and relatives.

Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care