Aging is inevitable, and it’s important to maintain safety while driving at every age. Below are several tips from the American Automotive Association to help drivers remain safe behind the wheel into their golden years.
Vision
As your vision changes with age, the eye loses the ability to change focus quickly, and peripheral vision narrows. About 90 percent of driving decisions are made based on information acquired through the eyes, so good vision is crucial to driving.
• Get regular eye exams.
• Limit driving to daytime hours if you have trouble with night vision.
• Turn your head frequently to compensate for diminished peripheral vision.
• Keep your eyes up to see trouble before you reach it.
Reaction
As a person ages, reaction time slows. Reacting to something on the road involves three steps: sensing, deciding and acting. For older drivers, each step takes longer and can sometimes become dangerous.
• Allow more space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, so you have more time to stop.
• Avoid left turns if you are uncomfortable making them. Sometimes, three right turns will get you to the same place as a left turn.
• Eliminate distractions, like the radio or a cell phone.
• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Use side roads if the freeway is stressful.
Fitness
Driving requires strength, flexibility and coordination. Regular exercise is an important factor to maintain these abilities.
• Walk at least 20 minutes each day, work in the garden or play sports to stay fit.
• Stay mentally active to retain your problem-solving capacity.
Medication
Some medications can make drivers drowsy or distracted on the roads. Some of the worst are tranquilizers, pain pills, sleep medicines, antidepressants, cough medicines, antihistamines and decongestants.
• Read the fine print. If the medicine says “Do not operate heavy machinery,” someone else should drive.
• Discuss each medication and its effects with a doctor or pharmacist.
• Avoid driving during the first few days of taking a new medication. If any drug makes you drowsy or disoriented, avoid driving.
When to give up the keys
Chronological age does not predict driving age very well. On-the-road performance is what counts. It’s time to stop when you:
• Have a series of minor accidents or near misses.
• Are unable to concentrate or have wandering thoughts.
• Can’t read ordinary road signs.
• Get lost on familiar roads.
• Are frequently honked at by other drivers.
• Are spoken to about your driving by police, relatives or friends.
