What Seniors Can Do To Stay Road-Safe

It’s estimated that in excess of 45 million seniors aged 65 and above are licensed to drive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Driving is great for seniors as it allows them to retain their independence. However, there is always a risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident when you get behind the wheel, and on a daily basis, 700 elderly drivers are injured on the road. So it’s crucial that seniors do all they can to stay road-safe.

See a driver rehabilitation specialist

There is no law stipulating that a senior must give up driving at a certain age. Instead, every state has a regular license renewal law. This typically ranges from every 2 to 8 years, although it does vary by state. It’s therefore down to seniors and their loved ones to ensure that they’re safe to be on the road. One way to do this is to see a driver rehabilitation specialist. This expert will complete a clinical and behind-the-wheel assessment. Should the tests determine there’s an issue, the specialist will put practical steps into place to keep the senior on the road for as long as is safely possible. This may include mandatory medication reviews, adaptive car devices, and alternative travel arrangements in bad weather conditions. 

Sign up for a driving course

A defensive driving course is a great way for seniors to brush up on their driving skills. This type of course provides a refresher on how to drive safely, such as how to correctly place your hands on the steering wheel. It’s also used to inform seniors how to maintain their vehicle and to update their knowledge on new driving laws which they may not be aware of. Another benefit to this course is that many insurers provide a discount upon successful completion.  Check with your auto insurance company to see if they can help point you to courses in your area.

Take a break

The good news for senior drivers is that the road accidents they’re involved in are typically less severe than the crashes younger drivers encounter. However, when a senior has a road accident, it can knock their confidence. In 76.7% of cases it also results in multiple injuries. When this happens, it’s crucial that seniors take a break from driving to fully recuperate. For example, head, neck, and spine injuries can take some time to recover from and seniors should never rush to get back behind the wheel if they experience this type of injury. For safety reasons, it’s important they ascertain whether their injury is temporary or permanent. A spinal injury lawyer can assist if long-term damage is sustained and ensure that the senior gets the right support medically and financially. 

Know when to give up driving

There are some sure-fire signs that a senior should give up driving for good. These include:

• Repeated road accidents
• Feeling stressed behind the wheel
• Using medications which cause drowsiness 
• Declining medical health
• Slow reaction times

All of the above can cause a senior to be seriously unsafe on the road. For this reason, they should hang up their keys for good.

Driving safety is something seniors must prioritize. Thankfully, there are plenty of steps seniors can take to keep their driving skills as up to date as possible.