Older drivers are only slightly more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than their teenage counterparts but are 7 times more likely to be injured or killed in a traffic accident.  That owes in part to the frailty that accompanies older age.

“The archetypical elderly driver fatality involves a belted, sober driver pulling into the path of an oncoming vehicle during the day and dying several days after a collision of moderate severity. Pre-existing health issues are often related to the death. In contrast, the archetype for a 30-45 year-old driver fatality involves an unbelted, impaired driver losing control of his/her vehicle at night and dying during an extremely severe, single-vehicle crash.”  

“On the Fatal Crash Experience of Older Drivers,” 2005

With increased traffic, heavier and faster vehicles, driving is a serious matter and can change or end a person’s life in an instant.  It is each of our responsibilities to do what it takes to remain a safe and proficient driver, not only for ourselves but for the safety of other drivers on the road.
Here we present a series of driving tips for different driving situations that a lot of older drivers find stressful.

Think About It

We have all been driving for many years and most of us think we are pretty good driver.  It seems as though driving has become second nature to us, requiring little thought or effort.  

Well, therein can lie the problem.  Maybe driving has become too easy for us perhaps we are a little too comfortable driving.  This can lead to complacency and inattention.  And that can lead to an accident.

Let's stop for a second and think about the "what if" we got into an accident.  The impact that having an accident can have on our lives, assuming we survive the accident, and the impact it could have on others.

• What if we were at fault in a fatal accident?
• What if we put someone in a wheelchair for the rest of their life?
• What if we put our selves in a wheelchair for the rest of our lives?

Not a very pleasant thought but it happens every day and most accidents are caused by inattention and are completely unnecessary.

As we get older we MUST concentrate more on our driving and become "active drivers" because even a minor accident could be the cause of loosing our driving privileges. 

If driving in unfamiliar areas is of concern try these tips.

• Plan your trip ahead of time and write down driving instructions.
• Do a trial run with a passenger before your actual trip.
• Choose left-turn locations where traffic signals have arrows.
• Ask someone to ride with you to read a map or street signs.
• Be prepared for an emergency by thinking of potential problems.
• Take along emergency signs and phone numbers.
• Reduce distractions in your car (for example, don't smoke, eat, talk on phone, put on makeup, shave, watch scenery, or daydream).

If night driving is a concern to you try these tips

• Before starting out, give your eyes at least 5 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
• Avoid wearing tinted glasses or sunglasses.
• Make sure that your car's windshield, windows, mirrors, and headlights are clean.
• Always dim your headlights for oncoming cars.
• Try to drive on well-lit streets-the more light there is, the easier it is to read signs, and the less headlight glare there is.
• Consider getting an eye exam.
• If you must go out at night, make sure to drive more cautiously.
• Reduce the amount of night driving you do, or stop altogether.

If driving in bad weather conditions is a concern to you try these tips

• Choose your driving conditions wisely. Avoid driving in bad weather by checking weather conditions before you start out.
• Make sure you are well stocked with food and other household necessities so that you don't have to go out in bad weather.
• If you must drive in bad weather, turn on your lights regardless of the time of day.
• Make sure that your car's windshield, windows, mirrors, and headlights are clean.
• Check your brakes before starting out to make sure they're working.
• Increase your "cushion of safety" by allowing more distance between you and the car in front of you. While stopped in traffic, you should be able to see the tires of the car in front of you.
• Be alert to changing road conditions.
• If weather becomes bad, park well off the road and wait - if you are on the freeway, get off at an exit before finding a safe place to park.
• Slow down in anticipation of slippery spots.

If driving in heavy traffic is a concern to you may want to try these tips

• Avoid driving in congested, fast-moving traffic. 
• Find out before you leave home about road closings and construction (through radio, newspapers, TV). 
• Plan your routes in advance to reduce the number of left turns you must make. 
• Increase your cushion of safety by allowing more distance between your car and the car in front of you. 
• Stay current on rules of the road and become familiar with new lane markings and traffic signals and signs.
• Let other drivers and pedestrians know your intentions by positioning your car in the proper lane and signaling. 
• Check all your mirrors often-we tend to focus on what's ahead, but traffic comes from many directions.
• Consider taking a driving refresher course. You may want to contact your AARP or AAA office or Area Agency on Aging to find out more about such courses.
• Work diligently on the various tools provided by Keep Driving, especially the exercise and cognition training.

If you are concerned about your ability to continue to drive try the suggestions listed below.

Relatives, friends, and doctors can be a valuable and objective source of information about your driving. Research shows that many older drivers expect their family and friends to discuss driving problems with them, but such conversations can be difficult. Family and friends may try to share their concerns about driving but some older drivers may resist hearing those concerns.

• Ask a trusted person to honestly tell you how safely they think you drive.
• If others express concern, you might consider reducing or stopping your driving.
• Work diligently on the various tools provided by Keep Driving, especially the exercise and cognition training.
• Consider taking a driving refresher course. Contact your AARP or AAA office or Area Agency on Aging to find out more about such courses.
• Consider having an evaluation of your driving done. Ask your local driving schools, doctor, or Area Agency on Aging to find out where you might get an evaluation done.

If you have had some close calls or near misses you may want to try the suggestions below.
 
Drivers who have almost or actually been in traffic accidents are more likely to have an accident in the future, regardless of whether or not they were at fault.
If you have come close to being in an accident, think about how you might have prevented the situation.

• Could you have reacted differently?
• Did you fail to see something?
• Why was the other car honking at you?

Tickets can also be an early warning sign of driving problems. Some drivers are aware of their limits and cope with them. Others, however, overestimate their abilities.

The most frequent problems of older drivers include failure to observe signs and signals, careless crossing of intersections, failure to yield, changing lanes without regard for others, improper backing, and driving too slowly.

Inattention and having too much information to handle at once seem to be the root of most of these conditions.

• Work diligently on the various tools provided by Keep Driving, especially the exercise and cognition training.
• Consider taking a driving refresher course. Contact your AARP or AAA office or Area Agency on Aging to find out more about such courses.
• Consider having a private evaluation of your driving done.  Ask your local driving schools, doctor, or Area Agency on Aging to find out where you might get an evaluation done.

If you are having difficulties seeing when you drive especially at night try these tips.

You may have decreased sensitivity to light. Sensitivity to light has to do with our ability to see things when the light is dim, such as at night.

Studies show that sensitivity decreases with age--the older we are the more light we need to see things and the longer it takes for our eyes to adjust to changes in lighting conditions. Decreased sensitivity might make it more difficult to drive at night and, therefore, less safe.

• It is important to notice changes in your vision and sensitivity to light.
• Get regular eye exams.
• Try to avoid driving at night.
• If you must drive at night, drive more cautiously.
• Try to drive on well-lit streets-the more light there is, the better.
• Make sure your windshield, lights, and mirrors are clean.
• Move your head and eyes to the sides occasionally as you drive.
• Adjust the existing mirrors on your car to increase your range of vision.
• Use special mirrors that increase your range of vision.
• Try to avoid driving at night.
• Avoid looking directly into the headlights of other cars on the road.
• Try to drive on well-lit streets-the more light there is, the less headlight glare there is.
• Allow more distance between your car and the car in front of you.
• Pay attention to cars braking far ahead of you-not just the car immediately in front of you-so you are more ready to stop.

If you are having difficulty getting around, check out this section.

You may have decreased flexibility and muscle strength. As we age, our flexibility and strength can be reduced, making it harder to do certain driving tasks. Decreased neck flexibility makes it hard to turn our heads leading to difficulty backing up, checking for traffic at intersections, and changing lanes. Discomfort in joints can slow reaction time and reduce our ability to turn the steering wheel or step on the brake.  It may be difficult to lift our leg from the gas to the brake pedal. Fortunately, studies show that flexibility and muscle strength can often be improved through exercise and stretching.

• Check with your doctor or senior center about programs in your area.
• Avoid long periods of driving without a stretch break.
• Avoid driving when muscles are stiff.
• Avoid driving when muscle or joint pain is intense.
• Fit your car with special mirrors. 
• Begin a fitness program.  It's never too late to start.
• Keep Driving has special exercise videos here on this site

Your ability to quickly react to things may be reduced.  In order to react quickly to something we must:

• See what the problem is
• Decide what to do, and
• Do something.

Slowed reaction times can occur because one or more of these three steps has slowed down.
Research shows that as we age, our reaction time slows, particularly in situations that require us to respond to more than one thing at once.
Because slowed reaction time may result from certain age-related medical conditions, it is important to get regular physical exams.

• Ask your doctor to check your reaction time.
• Exercise to increase your circulation.
• Try to avoid heavy traffic situations.
• Plan your trip in advance.
• Participate in the Keep Driving Cognitive Training Program.

As we age, our body chemistry changes and drugs have stronger effects than when we were younger.  We also tend to take more medications.

In high doses, or when combined, drugs can impair the skills and reflexes of otherwise good drivers. 

Many drugs can cause drowsiness, affect vision, and have other side effects that are serious hazards on the road but may go unnoticed. They may even impair our ability to decide whether we can drive safely.

• Make sure to read medication labels and follow directions carefully.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of the drugs you are taking, especially effects that could impair driving abilities.
• Also ask what, if anything, you can do to counter side effects that affect driving.
• Closely monitor your reactions and report them to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Take medicine only in prescribed amounts at the proper times.
• Consider checking with your doctor about changing the time you take your medication so that it does not interfere with driving.
• Never stop your medication or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
• Do not drive when using prescription drugs that make you sleepy or affect your ability to drive.
• Ask your doctor if the dietary and herbal supplements you are taking are safe for you.

Another drug that you may not think of as a drug is alcohol. Alcohol has a powerful effect on our bodies, both physical and psychological.

Alcohol is the single most important factor in fatal traffic accidents.  As we age, our bodies handle alcohol differently, so we should drink less.

• Never drive after drinking.
• Make arrangements for someone else to drive if you know you will be drinking.
• It's important to avoid alcohol when taking medications.
• With few exceptions, combining alcohol and other drugs decreases driving abilities, and in some cases, can cause coma or death.

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