Harmony on the Highways is committed to safer US highways. One growing concern is the aging driver. Can you read the signs in the picture on the left? Does it seem blurry or askew? Maybe YOU should be screened for YOUR driving ability. (Easy, we altered the clip for this purpose) Had we not distorted the picture, would you have been concerned about your ability to drive? These are just two factors, sight and perception. As we get older, many things begin to give way and deteriorate in our bodies, making the task of driving more difficult. As a whole, elderly drivers are safe, however, when do they need to be told, enough is enough. That is one area that, elderly with no families, may have a difficult time accepting and may not believe themselves to be too old to drive. On the other side, the family members or caregivers of elderly, may find this to be a very difficult discussion to have with the aged drivers. Fortunately, there is help out there. Solutions for Seniors, an elderly care service finder and information provider, has developed a helpful checklist.
Watch for telltale signs of decline in the elderly person's driving abilities. Do they:
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Drive at inappropriate speeds, either too fast or too slow?
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Ask passengers to help check if it is clear to pass or turn?
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Respond slowly to or not notice pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers?
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Ignore, disobey or misinterpret street signs and traffic lights?
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Fail to yield to other cars or pedestrians who have the right-of-way?
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Fail to judge distances between cars correctly?
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Become easily frustrated and angry?
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Appear drowsy, confused or frightened?
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Have one or more near accidents or near misses?
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Drift across lane markings or bump into curbs?
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Forget to turn on headlights after dusk?
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Have difficulty with glare from oncoming headlights, streetlights, or other bright or shiny objects, especially at dawn, dusk and at night?
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Have difficulty turning their head, neck, shoulders or body while driving or parking?
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Ignore signs of mechanical problems, including under inflated tires? (one in 4 cars has at least one tire that is under inflated by 8 pounds or more; low tire pressure is a major cause of accidents.)
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Have too little strength to turn the wheel quickly in an emergency such as a tire failure, a child darting into traffic, etc.?
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Get lost repeatedly, even in familiar areas?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is "yes," you should explore whether medical issues are affecting their driving skills. For more information click here
What can we do about this? Well, education is the key. Research the warning signs and monitor your aging driver in the family. Remember, the loss of independence is difficult and coming to terms that you are "too old" is a harsh reality. Making the call to take them off the road may require a trusted friend, a family doctor, the DMV or a good ole intervention. Make the experience for the elder driver a positive and reasonable choice. We suggest using agencies that are adept in dealing with the aged and become an active part of the alternative solution.
Keeping Grandma safe from herself, will keep countless others safe from her. After a long and joyous relationship with your elderly family members, it would be a shame to end it, with an avoidable tradegy.
Thanks for reading and remember we are going to be "too old" one day.
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