How to Know It’s Time to Stop Driving

According to the CDC, drivers over 70 have a higher crash death rate per 1,000 crashes than drivers aged 35-54. Thousands of older adults are also killed in traffic crashes annually, with hundreds of thousands treated for crash injuries.

While members of our senior community aren’t to blame for all accidents, changes in their vision, physical function, medications, and diseases can all contribute to an increased accident rate. Knowing when to stop driving is not always easy, but now might be the right time to explore alternative transportation options if you can relate to the following situations:

You’ve Been In An Accident

While an accident doesn’t always mean you have to give up driving, you might like to view your driving skills with a critical eye if you’ve been in an accident and were at fault.

Law firms like Blumenshine Law Group meet with many accident victims involved in collisions with other drivers who were distracted, had slow reaction times, or made illegal maneuvers. While we’re all capable of making mistakes, you might have made many of these mistakes in the lead-up to finally causing an accident and now must consider your safety behind the wheel for the sake of other drivers.

You’ve Had Many Close Calls

You might not have yet caused an accident, but near-accidents can sometimes be the wake-up call you need to realize that you’re no longer safe on the road. Near accidents can mean that you’ve made driving mistakes and other drivers have been able to avoid colliding with you. Something as simple as not following the road rules can be enough to put other road users at risk. At a minimum, a close call should have you considering a driving refresher course to ensure you’re aware of all road rules and safe to be behind the wheel.

You’re Damaging Your Vehicle and Property

The occasional scuff or mark might not seem like a big deal, but it can indicate a more serious problem. If you’ve noticed dents, scrapes, or scratches on your vehicle and property, such as your mailbox or garage, and you’re unsure how they got there, you might no longer be safe on the road.

Inattention, being easily distracted, and a lack of confidence might all be causing you to make driving mistakes that result in damage and possible injuries. In some situations, it can only be a matter of time until your actions start impacting other drivers.

You’re No Longer Confident

You might have been driving your entire adult life, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always retain the confidence of your youth. If you know you’re not as good at driving as you used to be due to reduced strength, flexibility, and coordination, along with health problems and slower motor reflexes, it can start to show. You might drive slower than you used to and make more mistakes that put other road users in danger.

While driving courses might help improve your confidence levels, there may come a time when you realize that driving is no longer safe for you or other drivers on the road.

It’s never easy knowing when you should no longer be behind the wheel of a car. However, now might be the right time to explore alternative transportation options when you can relate to some of these situations above.