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Safe Driving Tips for Seniors |
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Safe Driving Tips for Seniors |
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Driving safely as you age
Are you someone who loves driving but aren't sure if you can go on driving safely? However, safety is an important issue for many drivers over age 50. It is critical to understand that there's no age limit to responsible driving; however, it is equally important to know how you can go on driving safely for as long as you want and are physically able!
Physiological/ Emotional conditions and their side effects
A number of physiological and emotional conditions may affect your driving abilities as you age. Regular drug intakes to counter your ailments can have potential side effects that can also have an adverse influence on safe driving. Some of the most common possible complications are mentioned below:
| Physiological and Emotional condition
|
Drugs |
Potential side effects |
| Allergies
|
Antihistamines |
Drowsiness, confusion, reduced reaction time |
| Diabetes |
Antidiabetics |
Drowsiness, inability to concentrate |
| Hypertension |
Antihypertensive |
Drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision |
| Weight control |
Stimulants |
False feeling of alertness, over excitability |
| Common Cold |
Antihistamines |
Drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness |
Arthritis and
Rheumatism |
Analgesics |
Drowsiness, ringing ears |
| Depression
|
Stimulants |
False sense of alertness, dizziness |
| Anxiety |
Sedatives |
Drowsiness, staggering, blurred vision |
| Fatigue |
Stimulants |
Over excitability, false sense of alertness |
Although having one or more of the above conditions does not mean that you have to stop driving altogether. Driving can be both a necessity and a choice and it is not easy to discard a practice that you have developed over years. Follow the tips to healthy driving for seniors mentioned below and continue to enjoy your seat behind the steering wheel.
Tips on driving safely for seniors
Research has shown that safe driving is not intrinsically related to ageing if retains one's mental and physical abilities to do so. Therefore, with a little care and some easy-to-follow tips from us, you can continue to drive responsibly as long as you wish:
- Have your eyes examined regularly for glaucoma, cataracts and other eye diseases that can reduce or impair vision. Have regular hearing tests and general physical examinations done and ensure you get enough sleep since health and fitness are vital for safe driving.
- Adjust and clean mirrors, eyeglasses, windows, headrests and lights before starting out.
- While driving, make a habit of checking your side view mirrors often. Limit lane changes, always signaling and watching out before starting to move or changing lanes.
- Keep yourself well informed about driving rules.
- Keep a safe distance from the car in front to allow enough stopping time. Stick strictly to the advised speed limit.
- Remain alert always for horns and sirens.
- Avoid wearing colored glasses and try not to go on long-distance drives at dusk or at night.
- Practice light eating before and while driving.
- Keep a list of emergency numbers handy while you drive.
As you reach middle age and beyond, you may wish to maximize your driving ability by taking driving lessons intended specifically for seniors. Many insurance companies offer a discount to drivers 50 years of age and above who take mature driver training courses. In fact, some states mandate such discounts for completing a mature driver course.
Increasingly, states are mandating driving tests and/or knowledge tests for older drivers. Driving courses intended for mature drivers can refresh your driving skills and knowledge prior to such tests.
By following these guidelines and practicing good driving techniques, you can safely continue driving for many years. Remember, driving is not so much a matter of age as it is of ability!
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