Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog)

Deciding if Elderly Drivers Should Still be Behind the Wheel

Posted: 13 May 2012 04:05 AM PDT

The real BBUS post can be found here… Deciding if Elderly Drivers Should Still be Behind the Wheel by Joe Hauckes © Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog) . Not on Senior Zen!

This is a Guest Post by Patricia White. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page.

It's often said that wisdom comes with age, but another part of aging is slow reflexes. While elderly drivers may know all the hazards of the road, their compromised reflexes and fading vision can cause serious problems. Many families struggle with the question of whether their elderly parents should still be behind the wheel. Knowing the facts and the signs to watch for can help you decide if your parent is safe or a serious hazard.

Confusing Statistics

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the AAA Foundation for Traffic performed a study based on data gathered between 1999 and 2004. They found that the fatality rates for drivers over age 65 starts to climb. Drivers between the ages of 75 and 84 have a record equal to that of teenage drivers, and those over age 85 have fatality rates that are four times higher than the statistics for teens.

However, that data has changed in recent years. When reviewing accident statistics for Western new York in 2007 and 2008, it is found drivers over the age of 60 make up the largest group yet cause the fewest accidents.

Questions About Health

The problems with elderly drivers are attributed to declining health. As people age, it's natural for certain physical abilities to start diminishing. Reflexes slow down, flexibility decreases, vision is not as sharp, memory fades and it becomes harder to focus. Medications used to treat conditions like blood pressure and other ailments can also make driving more difficult.

On the other hand, many senior citizens are still in excellent health. Their vision is fine with prescription glasses, and their reflexes are still adequate for driving. Their tendency to take things a little slower on the road also helps offset a minor shift in reflexes and flexibility.

Types of Accidents

While teen drivers are more likely to cause accidents from speeding and taking risks, elderly drivers are more likely to cause accidents due to confusion and slow reflexes. They may miss the light changing color and run a light, or they could misjudge a turn and put themselves into oncoming traffic. Confusing the brake for the gas is another common mistake made by elderly drivers who have become dangerous on the road.

Changing Attitudes

Over the last decade, growing awareness has prompted many seniors to self-regulate and give up the keys of their own accord. The wisdom that comes with age allows them to recognize that they no longer possess the skills to safely navigate the roads. Another common decision of seniors is to stop driving at night or to avoid the busy highways where reflexes need to be faster and vision more acute.<.p>

If an elderly person you know and care for is still driving, you can watch for warning signs. The best way to spot the signs is to spend some time in the car with the senior behind the wheel. If they seem confused, have to stop and think for things that should be automatic or seem less focused on the activity, then it may be time to take the keys and the license. Repeat the activity occasionally to be sure that your loved one can still drive safely. You will make society a little safer, and it's a good chance to spend some time with your aging family member.

About the Author: Patricia White is a personal finances guru and freelance blogger for carinsurance.org.uk, a site she often recommends as a great wealth of information for learning more about car insurance. They have a variety of helpful articles, such as this one: carinsurance.org.uk/choosing-parameters-of-a-policy.html.