Transitioning From Driving When to Consider Using Alternate Transportation
Driving a vehicle is an integral part of American life. But aging can bring changes in vision and response times on the road and health conditions and medications can impact the ability to drive. When it appears that driving is becoming more challenging, it may be time to explore next steps and other transportation options to protect the safety and wellbeing of the driver and others on the road.
Observe and Evaluate Driving Skills
Talk About Driving Abilities and Transportation Options
• Running lights or stop signs.
Start by having a candid conversation about your concerns about you or your loved one’s driving abilities as well as about alternative transportation options. If someone stops driving, it’s important to figure out ahead of time transportation needs for errands, appointments and recreational activities. Being kind, calm and empathetic during these discussions is beneficial to everyone involved.
• Exhibiting lane drifting or having trouble changing lanes.
32
A passenger riding along with a driver can assess driving abilities. While such a ridealong is not a test, it is a way to help figure out if someone is having challenges with driving. According to the AARP, signs to look for include: • Being easily distracted. • Having a delayed response to unexpected situations. • Clipping the curb.
• Misjudging distance. • Showing a loss of driving confidence • Getting lost in familiar places. • Driving too fast or too slow. • Having trouble moving the foot from the
Aging Resources 2021–2022
