Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that senior drivers are the only age group in recent years to experience an increase in road fatalities. Although seniors as a group are generally safe drivers, factors such as physical changes, illness, medication, and cognitive impairment may significantly impair a driver. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for those age 65-74 years, and crash rates for drivers with cognitive impairments or dementia are 7.6 times higher than normal.  

Many times as family members, we know that Mom or Dad may be declining, but we don’t know how or when to tackle this difficult issue, and we may get a lot of resistance when we do. Here are a few pointers and resources when faced with this problem:

• Do not assume your loved one is safe driving because she (or he) “only drives locally and follows the same routine.” If she suffers memory loss, this can change in an instant. Many accidents happen close to home.
• Get a professional opinion. Seek a driver evaluation for questionable cases (check with your local Area Agency on Aging, hospitals, or a geriatric care manager). AARP offers safe driving program for seniors, and driving programs may offer “driving rehabilitation” programs that help drivers compensate for certain physical losses, as well as suggest adaptive equipment or modifications.
• Enlist the help of a trusted professional (e.g., clergy, doctor, care manager, attorney) to talk to your parent. Knowing your loved one’s values and personality may help tailor the approach. Is Dad very law abiding and respectful of authority? Is he conservative and wouldn’t want to risk harming someone? Remember, personality changes can occur with dementia, so normal approaches and logic may not work.
• Make an anonymous report to your DMV. Most states have a form/process for doing this, and you can often find the form on your state’s DMV Web site. Visit FloridaGrandDriver.com to see an example.
• Know that, particularly with dementia, you may need to take additional steps, such as selling or disabling the car or removing keys. If your loved one has memory loss, don’t expect her to remember that she isn’t supposed to be driving.
• Prepare by exploring transportation options for your loved one. Loved ones may want to hire a companion a few hours per week to drive to appointments, to run errands, and to have the freedom to get out of the house. Public transportation, nonprofits, and local agencies may offer rides for seniors, sometimes with eligibility requirements or only for specific trips such as medical appointments. Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good place to start.
• Help your loved one adjust. Explain and simplify transportation options (e.g., setting up an account with a taxi company to enable billing so cash exchanges aren’t required, noting phone numbers and rules for transportation services by the phone, accompanying your loved one on the route to make sure he can use the service and feels comfortable).
• This is an emotional matter for many people. No one wants to limit his or her life and freedom. Consider quality-of-life needs, and plan resources so your loved one doesn’t have to feel dependent on you. Perhaps you can get her the gift of time, a few hours with a driver who'll take her on errands or wherever she wishes, whether to a favorite card game, out dancing, or her usual stops.