The Truth About Older Drivers

Most seniors are safe drivers

For many adult children, the issue of their aging parents’ driving is a source of great concern. However, statistics indicate that most older adults are safe drivers, with high safety belt use and few citations for speeding, reckless driving, or alcohol-related charges. In fact, the actual number of accidents involving older drivers decreases as their age increases. Experts attribute this decline to self-imposed limitations, such as driving fewer miles, avoiding nighttime driving, not driving in bad weather, and avoiding rush-hour traffic.

With that said, declining physical functions and increased medication usage can raise the risk of accidents and injuries among older adults, especially after age 75, when the possibility of being involved in a collision increases for every mile driven. The rate of risk for adults over age 75 is nearly equal to that of younger drivers ages 16 to 24.

Fatalities increase slightly after age 65 and significantly after 75. This is directly related to the inability to withstand physical trauma at that age.

Each family must ask, "Is our older loved one safe while driving?" If the answer is no, then the next question becomes, "Who should do the talking?"

Older adults generally prefer to speak confidentially about driving safety with someone they trust. Married drivers prefer to discuss this sensitive subject with their spouse, who has the added advantage of observing the driving over time and in different situations. The spouse also understands the other's limitations. Folks who live alone are more likely to listen to their physician rather than a family member. However, adult children seem to have more influence with parents over 70 than with parents in their 50s and 60s. These differences often correlate to health changes and shifts in parent-child relationships later in life. Older drivers also tend to be more open to adult children who live nearby.

Outspoken or authoritative family members are not ideal choices for opening the early discussions on driving. They may better serve as the enforcer of driving decisions later on, if necessary.

By Patricia Grace
Aging with Grace Blog