Safety and Security Pointers for Senior Drivers

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Since a lot of senior drivers are still on the road, it is timely to discuss some pointers to our elderly. This is to keep them secured while they are driving. Please share these tips if you know any senior drivers, who are constantly on the road.

  • Seat belts please
    • Fasten your belt before you start your car and that should be all the time. If you are not comfy, just fix the shoulder mount. Make sure also that you have a lap-shoulder seat belts. NHTSA has required this since 2016 to secure both driver and passenger.
  • Put your cell phone in silent mode
    • Talking or texting is such a bad combination when driving. It distracts you from focusing on the road and the vehicles around you.
  • Never eat while you drive
    • It is likewise a distraction. If you are hungry, pull into a safe place like a parking lot to eat. You can drive after.
  • No drinking alcohol while driving
    • As people grow older, their alcohol tolerance changes. One glass of wine or beer could jeopardize an older person on the road. Medicine and alcohol could be a fatal combination to cause a bad collision.
  • Restrict diversion
    • Listening to audio books, music or talking with passengers may divert the older drivers’ attention. If you fall under that category, then, turn off the sound and refrain from talking to your passenger.  
  • Keep your distance
    • Give ample space between your vehicle, the one in front, and likewise, with the cars at your back. 

man in gray sweater leaning on van window

  • Drive in daytime
    • Older people with good eyesight may still have visual difficulties during night time. The darkness and the blatant brightness of the headlights of other vehicles can make it harder for a senior to have visual visibility.
  • Never drive during terrible weather
    • Elderly shouldn’t drive during snow, fog, and rain or any risky environment. If it is important to drive, at least, wait for the weather to be better before taking to the road. Ride a public transportation is wiser under these circumstances.
  • Pick a more secure route
    • Stay away from ramps which is not very ideal for the elderly. Same goes to turning left on a bustling road or highway. It is better to take a longer route to stay away from tricky intersections and turns.
  • Avoid traffic
    • Traffic can be very stressful especially for the elderly drivers. Chose to drive during times when the traffic is light.
  • Do not drive when stressed or when exhausted
    • When you are exhausted or stress, do not drive. Rest first until you have composed yourself. It is not a smart thing to drive when you are not in a good shape.
  • Know the side effects of your medicines
    • Some meds can make you dizzy or drowsy and that will make you unfit to drive. Review your medication first before driving your car.
  • Go to a driving rehabilitation specialist
    • They will evaluate older drivers to find out if they have any issues that will jeopardize their driving such as:
      • Resiliency, joint flexibility, muscular energy
      • Coordination and length of time to react
      • Discernment and decisiveness
      • Capability to drive with technical, adaptive gadgets

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