With the first baby boomers entering retirement age, the population of older drivers is expanding. While some drivers continue to be alert and capable into very old age, others put pedestrians and drivers at risk of serious injury in a car accident.
Concern Over Changes in Seniors' Driving
A 29-year-old man died recently when an elderly driver failed to yield, hitting the man on his motorcycle. In response to the young father's death in this motorcycle accident, an online petition to retest older New York drivers for licensing has begun. The petition has gathered thousands of signatures from concerned New York residents.
At this time, New York State does not require drivers to undergo reevaluation when they reach a certain age. Instead, the state can order reevaluation if it has reasonable grounds to do so.
Certainly many older people are competent, safe drivers. As we age, however, skills that are important for driving can diminish. Physical and mental changes that can make driving more difficult for the elderly include:
- Slower response time
- Reduced strength
- Reduced flexibility
- Stiff joints
- Loss of vision
- Loss of hearing
A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester found that older people are less able to focus on objects in the foreground, which may increase the difficulty of driving.
Tips for Senior Drivers
According to the National Institute on Aging, seniors can take steps to ensure that they continue to be safe drivers. If you are a senior driver, consider the following:
- Get your eyes and ears checked by the doctor. You may have medical issues that can be corrected.
- Use prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids when you drive.
- Be aware of how your medications may affect your driving.
- Drive a car with automatic transmission and power steering and brakes.
- Choose a car with large mirrors.
- Drive defensively, including leaving plenty of space between your car and other cars, braking with enough time to stop and taking a defensive driving course.
Older drivers who realize (or are told) that they should no longer drive still have options. They can take public transportation, ride with family members and friends, or take advantage of local programs that offer transportation to the elderly. With the money they save on car maintenance, an occasional taxi should not seem like an extravagance. Indeed, such measures could keep the older person, and others on the road, safe.
