At age 75, Sheila thinks she’s a very good driver. And she wanted to stay that way. So she got her eyes and hearing checked to make sure she can see and hear well enough to drive safely. Then she signed up to take a driving course for older drivers at her local automobile club. Will all this effort guarantee Sheila’s road safety?

As he was driving to the grocery store one day, 80-year-old Daniel ran over the curb and hit a trash can. His car was only scratched, and he was not hurt. But Daniel was scared because he almost hit a young woman waiting at the bus stop. He began to wonder if he should give up his driver’s license. How will Daniel know when it’s time for him to stop driving?
Source: National Institute on Aging  

Did you Know...

• Drivers ages 65 and older have the second highest crash death rate per mile. Teens have the highest crash death rate.
• Drivers ages 65 and older who are injured in traffic crashes are more likely to die from their injuries than younger drivers.

Source: CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

How Does Age Affect Driving?

There are more older drivers on the roads these days. It’s important to know that getting older doesn’t turn people into bad drivers. Many people are still good safe drivers as they get older. But there are changes that can affect their driving skills.

Body Changes

Over time, joints may get stiff and muscles may weaken. It may be harder for older adults to move their head to look back, to quickly turn the steering wheel or safely hit the brakes.

Eyesight and Hearing 

As one gets older, more light is needed to see things. Also, glare from the sun, oncoming headlights or other street lights may cause more trouble than before. The area you see around you (called peripheral vision) may become narrower. Vision problems from eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration or glaucoma can also affect driving ability.

Reflexes

As one ages, reflexes may get slower and attention spans may shorten.  It may be harder to do two things at once. These are all normal changes, but they can affect driving skills.

Some older people have conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that changes their thinking and behavior. Doctors can help decide whether it’s safe for the person with AD to keep driving.

Other Health Changes

While health problems can affect driving at any age, some occur more often as one gets older. For example, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes may make it harder to drive. People who are depressed may become distracted while driving. The effects of a stroke or even lack of sleep can also cause driving problems. Devices such as an automatic defibrillator or pacemaker might cause an irregular heartbeat or dizziness, which can make driving dangerous.

Medicine Side Effects

Some medicines can make it harder to drive safely. These medicines include sleep aids, anti-depression drugs, antihistamines for allergies and colds, strong pain killers and diabetes medications.  A doctor of pharmacist should be consulted.

Is It Time to Give Up Driving?

We all age differently. For this reason, there is no way to say what age should be the upper limit for driving. So, how do you know if you should stop driving? To help you decide, ask:

• Do other drivers often honk at me?
• Have I had some accidents, even "fender benders"?
• Do I get lost, even on roads I know?
• Do cars or people walking seem to appear out of nowhere?
• Have family, friends, or my doctor said they are worried about my driving?
• Am I driving less these days because I am not as sure about my driving as I used to be?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you should think seriously about whether or not you are still a safe driver. If you answered "no" to all these questions, don’t forget to have your eyes and ears checked regularly. Talk to your doctor about any changes to your health that could affect your ability to drive safely.


Safety Tips for Older Drivers:

Plan before you leave:

• Plan to drive on streets you know.
• Limit your trips to places that are easy to get to and close to home.
• Take routes that let you avoid risky spots like ramps and left turns.
• Add extra time for travel if driving conditions are bad.
• Don’t drive when you are stressed or tired.

While you are driving:

• Always wear your safety belt.
• Stay off the cell phone.
• Avoid distractions such as listening to the radio or talking to other in the vehicle.
• Leave a big space, at least two car lengths, between your car and the one in front of you. If you are driving at higher speeds or if the weather is bad, leave even more space between you and the next car.
• Make sure there is enough space behind you. (Hint: if someone follows you too closely, slow down so that the person will pass you.)
• Use your rear window defroster to keep the back window clear at all times.
• Keep your headlights on at all times.

Car safety:

• Drive a car with features that make driving easier, such as power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission and large mirrors.
• Drive a car with air bags. Check your windshield wiper blades often and replace them when needed.
• Keep your headlights clean and aligned.
• Think about getting hand controls for the accelerator and brakes if you have leg problems.

Driving skills:

Take a driving refresher class every few years. (Some car insurance companies lower your bill when you pass this type of class. Check with AARP, AAA, or local private driving schools to find a class near you.)
Source: National Institute on Aging

Related Programs and Services

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

AARP

Administration on Aging

American Medical Association

CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Easter Seals - Transportation Solutions for Caregivers

Highway Safety Research Center

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration

National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration – Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully

National Institute on Aging

The Hartford: Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Driving