Koon's Watch

Talking to an older driver can be tough. It’s a conversation many of us will have.

In the next 20 years, the population of people age 65 and older is expected to reach 70 million. There are currently about 30 million licensed drivers age 65 or older.

People under age 75 have relatively low crash involvement. After age 75, this changes because these drivers may have health conditions or take medications that negatively affect their driving abilities. This can put them and other road users at risk.

These drivers may not be aware of these changes, or they may not be willing to admit them. Or in the case of people with cognitive impairments like dementia, they don’t necessarily have the insight to recognize poor performance.

Many family members or caregivers wonder what they should do if they think a loved one’s driving skills have diminished.

Many older drivers look at driving as a form of independence. Bringing up the subject of their driving abilities can make some drivers defensive, angry, hurt, or withdrawn.

Be prepared with observations and questions, listen with an open mind, and be prepared to offer possible transportation alternatives.

How do you know when to start the conversation? If any of the following are true, its time to have the talk:

• Do they get lost on routes that should be familiar?

• Have you noticed new dents, scratches, or other damage to their vehicle?

• Have they been warned by a police officer about poor driving performance or received a ticket for a driving violation?

• Have they experienced a near miss or crash recently?

• Has their doctor advised them to limit or stop driving due to a health reason?

• Are they overwhelmed by signs, signals, road markings, and everything else they need to focus on when driving?

• Do they take any medication that might affect their capacity to drive safely?

• Do they stop inappropriately and/or drive too slowly, preventing the safe flow of traffic?

• Do they suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, glaucoma, cataracts, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, or other illnesses that may affect thier driving skills?

You might also consider taking a ride with an older driver to observe their driving skills, or encourage them to get a vision and hearing evaluation, or to enroll in an older driver safety class. You can also discuss your concerns with your loved one’s physician, and ask for recommendations.

The good news is that depending on the severity of the problem, older drivers may be able to adjust their driving habits to increase their safety. They may limit driving to daylight hours and good weather, or avoid highways and high-traffic areas.