Driving Issues (Aging) « Aging Issues

Articles and Resources re:
Issues for Elderly Drivers

Articles and Publications

• 7 Tips for Older Drivers (Mayo Clinic)
  Driving can sometimes be challenging for older adults. Follow these driver safety tips, from taking good care of yourself to planning ahead and updating your skills.  
• 10 SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO APPROACH YOUR AGING PARENT’S DRIVING
  Senior drivers have more fatalities per mile driven than any age group except teenagers. Younger drivers crash more, but the crashes involving older drivers are more likely to be fatal. 
• Age and Driving – Safety Tips and Warning Signs for Older Drivers (helpguide.org)
  For many of us, driving is a key aspect of maintaining our independence as we age. But it's normal for our driving abilities to change as we get older. By reducing risk factors and incorporating safe driving practices, you may be able to continue driving safely long into your senior years. 
• Alzheimer's, Dementia & Driving (Hartford)
  This is a booklet on Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and how such degenerative diseases affect older person's ability to drive. Also includes a "contract" for the elderly person to complete with his/her family on driving.
• AMA Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers (AMA)
  Developed by the American Medical Association in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers (American Medical Assn.)
  To assist physicans in evalulating the ability of older patients to operate a motor vehicle safely as part of their everyday, personal activities.  
• Caregiver’s Guide to Driving Issues (Elder Law of MI – 3/29/18)
  The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors receives phone calls each week from loved ones and caregivers asking what he or she can do when there are concerns about a loved one’s driving. In this post, I will discuss issues that arise when a caregiver becomes aware of potential problems for an older driver, and the resources that are available to assist them. Often, caregivers will wonder if they should have a talk with an older driver or if they should take away the older person’s keys.
• Choices for Mobility Options (AARP)
  Thinking ahead to alternative transportation options can give you peace of mind should your current means of getting around in your community change in the future. This brochure will assist you to learn about various alternative transportation options and some things to consider to help you make confident decisions about which option would be best for you.
• How to Improve Seniors' Driving Skills (Edmonds.com)
  The dangers posed by senior drivers — combined with the difficulty of figuring out when they have reached the point of posing a risk — are spurring unprecedented efforts to come up with solutions. These initiatives to improve seniors' driving skills include more self-limited driving, improvement classes, vision adjustments, physical rehabilitation, cognitive-skills enhancement and tougher licensing laws. Here's a look at some of what researchers, insurers, not-for-profit associations, health-care organizations, government agencies and seniors themselves are doing in each area.
• Old People Driving – A Documentary (Time Goes By – 10/6/10)
  It is one the greatest fears elders have – to give up driving, losing the freedom and convenience we have experienced all our lives and to become dependent on friends, relatives or public transportation (which isn't all that good in many places) for everything we need or want to do away from home. A new documentary film titled, Old People Driving, sensitively explores the emotional and psychological aspects of giving up driving.
• The Aging Parent Driving Dilemma (Parent Giving)
  Driving for most of us represents freedom, independence and control and allows us to go where we want to and have the experiences we would liketo have. But driving is a sophisticated skill which required complex cognitive functioning. It’s important that your begin a dialogue with your parent about driving.
• The DriveABLE Assessment
  For assessing the medically-at-risk and geriatric driver, an evidence-based decision about a patient's fitness to drive. 
• Tips and Resources for Aging Drivers
  7 simple tips for older drivers to remain safe on the roads  
• When is Too Old to Drive? (Road & Travel Magazine)
  If seniors can be found jogging or playing tennis today, then when do they become too old to get behind the wheel of an automobile?
• When Should Seniors Hang Up The Car Keys?  (NPR – 10/8/12)
  Most elderly drivers give up the keys only when their child or grandchild intervenes. Social workers say it's important for family members to be aware and look for changes in their parents' driving behavior.
• When to Stop Driving (AARP)
  For many of us the time may come when we must limit or stop driving, either temporarily or permanently. The following advice may be able to assist you or someone you care about.

Resources (Websites and Blogs)

• AAA-Senior Driving
  AAA is dedicated to keeping seniors driving for as long as safely possible. We also are committed to promoting viable transportation options for seniors who can no longer drive independently.  See helpful handouts: Helpful Reminders for Senior Travelers and Travel Checklist.
• AARP Driver Safety Pro gram
  Cars have changed. So have the traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's licenses, but even the most experienced benefit from brushing up on their driving skills. Locate a program near you or register for the online course.
• Driver Education (AARP)
  Links and info about driver safety classes, courses, what older drivers need to know, etc.
• Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully (NHTSA)
  Most older people are capable and have a lifetime of valuable driving experience. For these reasons, decisions about a person's ability to drive should never be based on age alone. However, changes in vision, physical fitness and reflexes may cause safety concerns. People who accurately assess these changes can adjust their driving habits so that they stay safe on the road, or choose other kinds of transportation. This booklet, developed by the USAA Educational Foundation, AARP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, outlines the physical effects of aging, as well as tips on coping with them so that you remain a safe driver as long as you can.
• Older Adult Drivers (Centers for Disease Control)
  In 2015, there were more than 40 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States. Driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent. But the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as you age. Thankfully, there are steps that older adults can take to stay safer on the roads.
• Senior Driving – a Big Concern for the Baby Boomer Generation (blog)
  An adult child of an aging parent going through the difficult process of taking away the keys.