How Old is Too Old to Drive?
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
Dealing with aging parents, and grandparents, comes with a host of concerns that you may never have contemplated until you are faced with one, like driving. At some point we all have to stop driving because it is not safe for us, and more importantly, it is not safe for other passengers on the road.Approximately one in six American drivers is 65 and older, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. That age group is projected to grow to more than 40 million drivers by the year 2020.
The hazardous part is that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that fatal crashes per mile traveled increase at about age 70, and peak at age 85 and older. This gives us a quantifiable marker on approximately when our beloved elders should probably put the car keys away – for good.
However, a 2012 survey by AAA reported that almost 90% of senior drivers questioned said that losing their drivers’ license would be problematic for their lives.
According to everydayhealth.com, some of the health conditions that may jeopardize a person’s ability to sit behind the wheel include:
- Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
- Problems with hearing or vision
- Stroke
- Parkinson's disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Any conditions that require medications that could impair driving ability, such as anti-anxiety drugs, narcotics, and sleeping pills
Still, many elders can drive with their respective ailments. The main issue arises when they simply cannot perform the physical act of driving safely.
According to Dr. Gary J. Kennedy, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, “Another red flag is whether you’ve reached age 85. Around that time, even healthy people will experience slowed reaction time and trouble with visual acuity…hearing may also be an issue for some at that age.”
Dr. Kennedy added that the deciding factor is whether you are allowed to drive with children in the car - if you are not, it’s time to give up driving.
If the older loved ones aren’t willing to give up driving entirely just yet, perhaps you can offer a compromise to curtail driving in certain situations, such as:
- No driving at night/in the dark;
- No driving in bad weather;
- Limit driving close to home;
- Avoid driving on major highways
- When driving avoid changing radio stations or using the cell phone
Finally, this list from AARP may be helpful:
“10 Signs That it's Time to Limit or Stop Driving”
1. Almost crashing, with frequent "close calls"
2. Finding dents and scrapes on the car, on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs, etc.
3. Getting lost, especially in familiar locations
4. Having trouble seeing or following traffic signals, road signs, and pavement markings
5. Responding more slowly to unexpected situations, or having trouble moving their foot from the gas to the brake pedal; confusing the two pedals
6. Misjudging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance and exit ramps
7. Experiencing road rage or causing other drivers to honk or complain
8. Easily becoming distracted or having difficulty concentrating while driving
9. Having a hard time turning around to check the rear view while backing up or changing lanes
10. Receiving multiple traffic tickets or "warnings" from law enforcement officers
For more on driving issues, car accidents, and all types of personal injury cases, the skilled and knowledgeable attorneys at Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh are available to answer your questions. Why not start off with a free case review? Just email us today at lawyers@justicepays.com so we can get you justice.