“Savvy Senior”

The aging driver

By JIM MILLER

Dear Savvy Senior,

Help! My mom is 82 years old and still driving and it makes me very nervous. She thinks she’s still a good driver and says that she can’t stand the idea of depending on her kids to take her everywhere, so she just keeps on going. What can I do to convince mom to stop driving, and do you know of any age limits for senior drivers?

Thank you

Nervous Back Seat Daughter

Dear Nervous,

Be gentle with your mom. Keep in mind that lots older parents and adult children view driving issues quite differently. For most of us, especially seniors, driving is often linked to feeling independent, competent, and maintaining an active role in society.

Speed Limits, yes. Age limits, no!

Age alone does not predict fitness behind the wheel. Driving skills vary enormously among individuals. It’s poor eyesight, hearing loss, slower reaction times, and reduced muscle strength and flexibility that can affect driving ability.

Savvy Fact

Older drivers have a lower frequency of accidents and fatalities overall, but a higher rate of accidents and fatalities per mile driven (second only to that of drivers aged 16 to 24).

Savvy Tips

Instead of telling your mom she can’t drive anymore, include her as an active part of the driving decision. Ask her to take a senior driving course, like the AARP 55-ALIVE driver safety program for seniors, to assess her skills (see other senior driving resources listed below). She needs to feel that she is still in control and that you respect her ability to direct her own life.

Involve others if her driving is dangerous and she refuses to make changes to stop driving. A doctor, a member of the clergy, or a family friend may be able to help. As a last resort, you can contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles and report unsafe driving. Most states will contact older adults, have them take a driving test, and, if necessary, revoke their license.

Finding Alternative Transportation

• Work with your parents to identify what public, private and community transportation services are available. Contact you Area Aging Agency for community transportation information.

• Consider how your parents might get rides and pitch in when it’s possible.

• Talk about what they might do for someone else in exchange for transportation.

• Find out about any discount or reduced rate programs for older adults.

Resources

• AARP 55-ALIVE offers a driver safety program. Call 888/227-7669 or visit aarp.org/55alive.

• Area Agency on Aging is a resource for transportation options available in your community. Call the eldercare locator at 800/677-1116 to locate your nearest agency.

• The National Transit Hotline provides the names of local transit providers who receive federal money to provide transportation to the elderly and people with disabilities. Call 800/527-8279 or visit ctaa.org and click the Information Station.

• The National Highway Safety Administration offers tips for assessing physical changes that may affect driving skills. Visit nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive.

• American Public Transportation Association offers information about public and commuter transportation services in your community. Visit apta.com.

• The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists offers fact sheets and a driver rehabilitation specialist directory. Call 608/884-8833 or write to P.O. Box 49, Edgerton, WI 53534.

• The AAA foundation for traffic safety’s senior driver web site is seniordrivers.org.

If you have any questions visit savvysenior.org.