As we age, it’s natural for us to develop conditions that will affect our driving skills. By 2030, the number of drivers on the road 65 or older will be 20 percent.
Age is just one consideration in determining when it’s time to stop driving. We look at other factors related to driving ability and provide tips to help seniors safely extend their time on the road and maintain their driving skills.
Age-related changes that can affect driving. Physical and mental changes caused by aging, as well as medication side effects, can impact driving skills. This may include:
• Decreased vision
• Trouble hearing
• Slower reaction times
• Limited flexibility
• Joint pain caused by arthritis
• Medications causing drowsiness
Medical conditions such as dementia, or mobility impairments due to stroke or Parkinson’s disease, can also make it unsafe to continue driving.
Safety tips for older drivers
While various issues associated with aging can impact your driving, these tips can help you stay safe on the road.
• Stay active – Regular exercise and physical activity can help you maintain or improve your flexibility and strength.
• See your doctor – If you’re unsure how health issues will affect your driving skills, talk to your doctor about your concerns and get recommendations on how you can continue driving safely.
• Get regular vision and hearing exams – Help keep your eyesight and hearing sharp with annual tests, and ensure any prescriptions and hearing aids are up-to-date. If necessary, always wear your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids while driving. • Plan your drive – If you’re driving somewhere unfamiliar, plan your route beforehand to avoid difficult intersections or busy roads. If possible, avoid driving at night or in bad weather.
Self-evaluation To start assessing your driving ability, ask yourself:
• Do I frequently get lost while driving?
• Do I get easily distracted when I drive?
• Do I have trouble reading road or traffic signs?
• Can I comfortably turn my head to check mirrors and blind spots?
• Has my reaction time slowed?
• Have I had any major or minor accidents in the past 2 years?
• Have I received a traffic violation in the past 2 years because of my driving?
• Avoid distractions – Limit distractions by putting your phone in Do Not Disturb mode.
Senior driving assessments
Since everyone ages differently, it’s important for seniors to regularly evaluate their driving skills and specific situation.
• Have my family or friends told me they’re worried about my driving?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to take the in-depth self-rating driving assessment to evaluate your driving performance.