​Seniors Matter(s): Driving as a senior!

Is it a right or a privilege?

Have you been worried about your driving? I have.

I believe myself to be a good driver; yet, I constantly must concentrate, not let my mind wander, and be more aware of surroundings.

Driving for 50 years on Bruce County roads seems easy until you remember that you are constantly passing by another car doing 80 km/h in the opposite direction with only two metres of width between you. One lapse of concentration by either driver spells instant disaster. Add snow, ice, fog, white-outs, etc., then those two metres becomes a game of trust.

As we age, our joints may get stiff, and our muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect our ability to drive, by making it harder to turn our head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely.

Eyesight can change as you get older. It might be harder to see people, things, and movement outside your direct line of sight. It may take longer to read street signs or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or streetlights can be a problem. Depending on the time of the day, the sun might be blinding.

Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems.

Your hearing can also change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or even noises coming from your own car. Hearing loss can be a problem because these sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way.

In the very early stages of Alzheimer Disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they need to stop. People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems.

As we get older, our reflexes might get slower, and we might not react as quickly as we could in the past. You might find that you have a shorter attention span, making it harder to do two things at once.

These basic driving tips need to be constantly reflected upon:
 

• Leave more space between you and the car in front of you.
• Start braking early when you need to stop.
• Avoid heavy traffic areas or rush-hour driving when you can.
• If you must drive on a fast-moving highway, drive in the right-hand or middle lanes. Traffic moves slower there, giving you more time to make safe driving decisions.
• If you take any medications that make you feel drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than usual, then you need to pay attention to how these drugs may affect your driving.
• If you already know that driving at night, on the highway, or in bad weather is a problem for you, then plan driving time accordingly. When in doubt, don't go out. Bad weather, such as rain, ice, or snow, can make it hard for anyone to drive. Try to wait until the weather is better, or use buses, taxis, or other transportation services.

If you’re worried about a loved one, an older family member or friend driving, it can be a difficult topic to bring up since it can be hard for an older person to realize that he/she is no longer a safe driver. You might want to observe the person's driving skills.

Indicators of being an unsafe driver may be:
 

• Multiple vehicle crashes, "near misses," and/or new dents in the car.
• Two or more traffic tickets or warnings within the past two years.
• Increases in car insurance premiums because of driving issues.
• Comments from neighbours or friends about driving.
• Anxiety about driving at night.
• Complaints about the speed, sudden lane changes, or actions of other drivers.

When you feel it is time to talk with an older person about his/her driving, here are some things that might help when having the talk:
 

• Be prepared. Learn about local services to help someone who can no longer drive. Identify the person's transportation needs.
• Avoid confrontation. Use "I" messages rather than "You" messages. For example, say, "I am concerned about your safety when you are driving," rather than, "You're no longer a safe driver."
• Stick to the issue. Discuss the driver's skills, not his/her age.
• Focus on safety and maintaining independence. Be clear that the goal is for the older driver to continue the activities he/she enjoys, while staying safe. Offer to help the person stay independent. For example, you might say, "I'll help you figure out how to get where you want to go if driving isn't possible."
• Be positive and supportive. Recognize the importance of a driver's licence to the older person. Understand that he/she may become defensive, angry, hurt, or withdrawn. You might say, "I understand that this may be upsetting" or "We'll work together to find a solution."

Since we all age differently, there is no way to set one age when everyone should stop driving. Here are some things you should ask yourself:
 

• Do other drivers often honk at me?
• Have I had some accidents, even if they were only "fender-benders"?
• Do I get lost, even on roads I know?
• Do cars or people walking seem to appear out of nowhere?
• Do I get distracted while driving?
• Have family, or friends said they're worried about my driving?
• Am I driving less these days because I'm not as sure about my driving as I used to be?
• Do I have trouble staying in my lane?
• Do I have trouble moving my foot between the gas and the brake pedals, or do I sometimes confuse the two?
• Is my reaction time getting slow?
• Do I struggle sensing the opposing traffic pace while looking for an opening to make a left turn?

You may try starting the following:
 

• Plan to drive on streets you know.
• Only drive to places that are easy to get to and close to home.
• Avoid risky spots like ramps and left turns.
• Add extra time for travel if you must drive when conditions are poor.
• Limit how much you drive at night.
• Don't drive when you are stressed or tired. Always wear your seatbelt and make sure your passengers wear their seatbelts, too.
• Wear your glasses and/or hearing aid if you use them.
• Stay off your cell phone.
• Avoid distractions, such as eating, listening to the radio, or chatting.
• Use your window defrosters to keep both the front and back windows clear.

When it is time, you can think about using a car- or ride-sharing service. Sound pricey? Don't forget—it costs a lot to own and maintain a car. If you don't have to make car payments or pay for insurance, maintenance, gas, oil, or other car expenses, then you may be able to afford to take taxis or other transportation. You can also buy gas for friends or family members who give you rides.

I, personally, am thrilled with the new inventions of Artificial Intelligence that assist car travel. I hope to be able to keep driving using all the driver-assistance packages that are in place now and coming up. Line-change indicators, assisted-breaking sensors, blind-spot signals and so on, are just the beginning as we are on the cusp of fully-automated driving (Tesla, etc., although I won’t be first in line), which I hope will aid my independence and ability to travel where and when I wish on my own.

It would be a shame to end a healthy life because of one’s ability to drive safely and alertly.

I hope that person passing me in the opposite direction is working hard at staying safe. Our lives depend on us both paying attention.

It doesn't matter how you do it. When your car is in your possession, you're the master until the end of the trip.

If you can park it and walk away without turning around, you haven’t bought the right car!

Some people take good care of a car; others treat it like family.

‘Till next time.