Articles

Senior Driving: When Are You Too Old to Drive?

September 5th, 2006 by Lara Belonogoff

Comments (9)

“Mom, Dad—maybe it’s time you stopped driving.” That’s probably one phrase no adult child ever wants to utter. We live in a driving culture—from the first Tin Lizzie to the new hybrids—we are a nation obsessed with motor vehicles. In urban environments many people drive rather than take public transportation. Even some seniors who live in long-term care facilities drive. Some might argue that suburban society would not exist without automobiles as many live in a world based on a car-orientated convenience, including drive-up ATMs and mail slots. But what happens when we see clues that a person can no longer safely operate a car?

The DMV doesn’t revoke licenses based on age, but on a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Many older adults have vision issues which DMV marks as restrictions on their licenses. Restricted licenses can also result from someone calling DMV and reporting an unsafe driver—it can be a family member, doctor, police officer or even a concerned citizen. Usually physical restrictions are in regard to times of day when driving is permissible, or physical areas of restriction (e.g., no freeway driving). For some tips on whether your driving is up to par, check out the AAA-sponsored senior drivers website, which does a good job of pointing out some common problems with driving at an advanced age. The online quiz also illuminates common risk factors and how to avoid potentially dangerous driving habits or behaviors. For those considering whether or not to speak up about a dangerous older driver the worries are twofold: one is taking away another person’s volition and the second is bearing the responsibility for others on the road possibly in danger. So when do you decide that a senior you know (or you yourself) may need (a) some restrictions on their license or (b) to stop driving altogether?

Posted in: General, How to Care for Someone at Home, Senior Care News, Senior Driving Issues

Comments (9)

COMMENTS
9 Responses to “Senior Driving: When Are You Too Old to Drive?”

renata_sk5 Says:

This is just a case of two personality types: one that is self-limiting and another which must be constrained by outside forces. We’ve all heard of a man driving despite pleas from his family to stop and we also have heard of ladies tucking their keys away aware that they are no longer able to react quickly enough to the fast-paced road conditions. Some people, we as a society, must regulate (and by that I mean calling in license plates of dangerous drivers irregardless of their age) while others will be responsible for themselves.
theresa_715 Says:

It is well known that senior drivers are second dangerous only to teenaged ones. I think we don’t protect either of these two groups from themselves. We need to make certain that these groups are given driving tests more frequently in person and in cars than the rest of the population.
jackson Says:

I’m still a young man at the age of 63 and I have been driving since I was 13 and I would definitely rather retain my personal freedom with the consequences of more dangerous drivers than lose any sort of rights.
Joan Says:

I just visited my Dad and his driving abilities are declining rapidly. What a difficult topic to bring up with him. I feel like I’m taking his pride away. I remember when he took my license away for breaking curfew and now it seems wrong to reverse the roles. And it’s even worse thinking he’s also driving with my Mom in the same car. Would love suggestions on how to soften the blow to his ego.
starfish56 Says:

You don’t live where he lives, hunh? Are there any family members near-by who can take them to run errands and the like? If not, you need to get someone to monitor him. Your best bet maybe getting an authority figure like his doctor to speak to him. If he won’t listen to you he may listen to someone closer in age.
lara Says:

Dear Joan,
Yes, starfish56, is absolutely right in that authority figures, especially physicians, can be very helpful in getting through to parents who may not take too kindly to their children’s advice to stop or limit their driving. There are also a few other recommendations we have:

1. Pick a time when you can speak uninterrupted in an environment where your father will feel comfortable.

2. Determine what would scare your father. Is it the idea of hurting your mother, or himself or a small child darting into the road?

3. Give specific examples of which driving behaviors you witnessed which lead you to believe that the above situation could become a reality.

4. Allow him a dignified way to finish the conversation. Everyone is different, but you know what will appeal to your father. Give him excuses to stop driving such as the high price of gas or that another person wants to spend time with them and therefore could drive them to errands or for those more bent on driving that their conscience shouldn’t allow them to endanger anyone else. Your father can be given a graceful exit with phrasing such as “I’m sure you know this already, because you are so conscientious, but since you haven’t said anything to me I wondered what you were going to do?”

In all of these it is about talking to them with respect and going in with a collaborative spirit of not just pointing out the problems, but helping your parents to find the solutions which best suit their needs without endangering the community or themselves. But we urge you to speak to your father sooner rather than later—this problem will not repair itself and not speaking to your father endangers himself and others. Address these issues before options are taken away by a run-in with law enforcement or by a preventable accident occurring. Just as your parents kept you safe, they deserve the same from you. Good luck from all of us here at Gilbert Guide.
joan Says:

So did any of you see what happened with that elderly man in Los Angeles? Today he was convicted to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He was the man that plowed through the farmers market and killed quite a few people. So sad. And now the debate continues. When is it in the best interest of the children to take their parents drivers license away? When is it appropriate? now here’s a situation where it is too late and he will spend the rest of his life behind bars (and he’s 85).

I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Look for signals and signs that show uncharacteristic erratic driving. It has to be better to visit your dad at home rather than in the big house!
Nikki Jong Says:

I saw that article too. What a sad situation. I absolutely agree that as family members, it is our responsibility to look for signs in our loved ones that might mean it’s time to turn the keys over for good. I came across a great website that lists the warning signs to look for as well as how to talk to a senior who should not be driving. Here’s the link: http://www.helpguide.org/elder/senior_citizen_driving.htm
» Senior Driver Avoids Prison Time | Gilbert Guide Blog Says:

[…] Recently, a colleague bravely addressed the sometimes-taboo issue of senior driving. She also posed the difficult question: when is enough enough? Lots of information was provided on how to detect subpar driving skills, and how best to convince a potentially dangerous senior driver to cease and desist. A recent trip to see my grandfather, 87, reassured me that he displays few, if any, of the warning signs of an unsafe driver. However, the outcome of a much-publicized case has me thinking—was this man a potential liability before he got behind the wheel? […]