TALKING ABOUT DRIVING WITH AN OLDER DRIVER
Talking with an older person about their driving is often difficult. Most of us delay that talk until the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous.
But there are things you can say and do to make those conversations more productive and less tense.
If you have decided to initiate a conversation with an older loved one about driving safely, take these three steps:
- Collect information;
- Develop a plan of action; and
- Follow through on the plan.
You might also want to consider learning how to adapt a motor vehicle to accommodate the unique needs of an older driver and discussing it with your loved one.
TIPS TO DRIVE SAFELY WHILE AGING GRACEFULLY
Decisions about your ability to drive should never be based on age alone. However, changes in vision, physical fitness and reflexes may cause safety concerns. By accurately assessing age-related changes,
you can adjust your driving habits to remain safe on the road or choose other kinds of transportation.
If you’ve noticed changes in your vision, physical fitness, attention, and ability to quickly react to sudden changes, it’s important to understand how these changes may be affecting your ability to drive
safely.
One way to stay safe while driving is by making sure you understand how medical conditions can impact your ability to drive safely. Another way is by adapting your motor vehicle to make sure it fits you
properly, as well as choosing appropriate features, installing and knowing how to use adaptive devices, and practicing good vehicle maintenance.
NHTSA has many online resources to help older drivers learn how to best drive with certain conditions. Browse their selection of YouTube videos.
