SENIOR DRIVING

Vision changes due to aging may be so gradual that they become unnoticed over time.

• Presbyopia- normal loss of near focus over time
• Macular degeneration- gradually creates blurry vision over time
• Reduced pupil size
  • Individuals in their 60s require 3x more ambient light for comfortable reading than those in their 20s
• Loss of peripheral vision
  • Decreases approximately 1-3 degrees per decade of life (70s and 80s will lose 20-30 degrees)

Click here to Join AAA and LensCrafters to learn how vision health is critical to safe driving.

As you age, reflexes can slow and you may not be able to react to situations as quickly as you could in the past. Stiff joints and/or weak muscles can also decrease reaction time when driving.

Here are some tips to stay safe on the road:

1. Leave more space between you and the car in front of you.
2. Start braking early when you need to stop.
3. Avoid driving during rush hour and heavy traffic areas when possible.
4. If you must drive on the highway, stick to the right-hand lane where traffic generally moves more slowly.

Medical conditions that can effect older drivers are dementia, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, and Parkinson’s Disease. It is important to note that none of these conditions alone are sufficient enough to require the withdrawal of driving unless they pose a risk to the driver or others.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed indicators to help doctors determine if a professional driving evaluation is needed: (Source: NHTSA)

• 80 or older
• Recent crash or moving violation
• Psychoactive medications or uses medications for Alzheimer’s Disease
• History of falls
• Screening tool scores that indicate the possibility of a cognitive deficit

When driving, it is important to know that most states do not differentiate between alcohol and drugs when it comes to DWI/DUI. Although your doctor may prescribe certain medications or you choose to take an over the counter medication, you can still be arrested for DWI/DUI just as someone impaired by alcohol​.

With all medications always remember to:

• Read the fine print. ​
• Inform your doctor​.
• Discuss your medication​s.
• If you feel different, don’t drive.​

As we age, our brain needs more time to process information, making it more difficult to ignore distractions​. Years of driving experience and good driving habits can help older drivers compensate for some diminished cognitive abilities.​

Warning signs of dementia:​

• Forgetting how to locate familiar places​
• Failing to observe traffic signs and signals​
• Becoming angry or confused while driving​
• Hitting curbs while driving​
• Confusing brake and gas pedals​
• Forgetting the destination​

1. Conduct a pre-drive vehicle inspection.
   • Be aware of obstacles or children near your vehicle.
   • Inspect vehicle lights and check for any fluid leaks.
2. Ensure all adjustments inside the vehicle are completed prior to driving.
   • Ex. Mirrors, seat belt, distance to pedals, visibility over the steering wheel
3. Buckle up every ride!
   • For a safe fit, ensure your seat belt lies across your collar bone and hip bones

1. Left Turns
2. Roundabouts
3. Sharing the road with large trucks
4. Driving at night
5. Backing up
6. Aggressive drivers and road rage

1. Rain
   • Headlights on and reduce speed
   • Allow extra travel time
   • Check tires, wipers, and lights
   • When possible, drive in the middle lane and increase your following distance
2. Snow, Ice, Sleet
   • Clear ALL snow and ice from your vehicle prior to driving
   • Headlights on and reduce speed
   • Brake gently to avoid skidding and increase your following distance
3. Fog
   • Slow down
   • Manually turn on headlights and use low-beam setting
   • Use windshield wipers and defrosters
   • Use the right edge of the road as a guide
   • Increase your following distance

1. Vehicle failures
   • Pull safely off to the side of the road and call for help.
   • Call AAA for assistance if needed.
2. Emergency maneuvers
   • Place your hands at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions on the steering wheel to allow for greater control and reaction time.
3. Crash
   • Stay calm.
   • Make sure there are no injuries. If so, immediately call 911.
   • If safe, move vehicle away from the road.
   • Collect contact and insurance information from all people involved and take photos of scene.
   • Report crash to your insurance company regardless of who is at fault.

There are many simple and preventative steps you can take to extend your personal mobility:

1. Mental Health
   • On average, the human brain begins to slow down beginning at age 30. It is important to continue to exercise our brains to keep them sharp.
   • There are a variety of mental fitness activities to help keep your brain cognitively healthy such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and Sudoku.
2. Physical Fitness
   • It is important to keep moving at every age!
   • Exercise programs should:
     • Challenge your heart and lungs
     • Stretch and strengthen your muscles
     • Loosen joints to help with flexibility
   • Brisk walking, gardening, and routine housework are all great option

Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Perfect Fit

Developed by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AAA, AARP and the American Therapy Association, CarFit is an educational program that uses a 12-point checklist to help older drivers determine how well their vehicles “fit” them. Steering wheel height, seats, mirrors, head restraints, and many other elements of the vehicle must be adjusted to accommodate the physical changes associated with aging, and can improve safety and comfort while driving a vehicle.

Each CarFit evaluation takes about 20 minutes and educates the driver on the correct “fit” based on the following components:

• Seat belt adjustment
• Steering wheel tilt
• Head restraint position
• Distance from air bag
• Line of sight over steering wheel
• Distance to gas and brake pedals
• Mirror adjustment
• Operation of basic vehicle controls

Fitting comfortably in your vehicle plays a big role in staying safe on the roads.

• When purchasing a vehicle, make sure it’s not too big and items such as the seat and seat belt can adjust to fit your height.
• Routine maintenance on your vehicle is important to help keep you safe on the roads. Visit a AAA Car Care Center or AAA Approved Repair Shop to ensure your vehicle is running properly.
• There are many assistive accessories on the market to help you while driving.
  • Handybar-removable grab bar to hang on to when entering or exiting the vehicle
  • Swivel Cushion-thin cushion placed on seat and swivels 360 degrees to help drivers rotate in and out of the vehicle
  • Blind spot mirrors-added to side vehicle mirrors to reduce blind spots
  • To learn more visit AAA, AARP and AOTA

Whether you’ve stopped driving or would like to drive less, there are many alternative options for getting around.

1. Ridesharing Services: Options such as Lyft and Uber offer on-demand transportation which can be helpful for getting to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, or to visit a friend.
2. Public Transportation: The bus or subway are a great option for getting around. Practicing routes with a family member or friend before you need to use them may be helpful.
3. Paratransit Services or Local Shuttles: Check to see what options are available in your local community.
4. Friends and Family: Coordinating rides to the same place with a friend or family member is a low cost and safe option for staying mobile.

Initiating a conversation about safe driving with an older driver, especially a parent, is challenging for most people. It is not a simple subject to address but there are steps you can take to preserve an older driver’s personal freedom and mobility while ensuring safety on the road.

1. Communicate openly and respectfully.
2. Avoid an intervention.
3. Make privacy a priority.
4. Never make assumptions.

To learn more about conversations about driving click here.

If you are worried about a loved one and their capacity to safely continue driving, here are some signs to look for:

1. Driver is involved in multiple crashes, "near misses," and have new dents in their vehicle
2. Two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the last two years
3. Comments from neighbors or friends about their driving
4. Anxiety about driving at night
5. Health issues involving vision, hearing, and mobility
6. Complaints about speed, sudden lane changes, and actions of other drivers
7. Getting confused or lost while driving on a regular basis
8. Doctor recommendation to modify driving habits or stop driving entirely

• Driver Planning Agreement
• The CarFit Program
• RoadWise Driver Program
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
• National Institute on Aging (NIH)
• Articles
  • A Road Less Traveled: Older Men Struggle More Than Women as Driving Decreases
  • Addressing Changes in Driving Comfort Early Can Keep Older Adults Driving Safer, Longer
  • Regular Exercise and Stretching Can Help Older Drivers Keep the Keys Longer
  • More Than 80 Percent of Older Drivers Aren’t Talking About Driving Safety

• AAA Driver Education & Training
• AAA Membership
• AAA Car Care
• AAA Travel
• AAA Tag and Title
• AAA Insurance