Some drivers enjoy being behind the wheel of a car for their entire lives. Others prefer to stop driving after they reach a certain age. There’s wisdom in both of these paths as long as the person walking them – or, rather, driving them – is making the decision that keeps them happy and healthy.
Even so, there are times when your health or age will make the joy that was once driving impossible to manage. Driving with kids and pets becomes increasingly dangerous when your health compromises your ability to focus on the road in front of you.
With that in mind, is there a point when you should stop driving? If not, how can elderly drivers stay safe while on the road?
Age and driving
The UK does not have legislation in place dictating when a person has to stop driving. After you turn 70, you will no longer be able to renew your licence on your original cycle and will instead need to visit your local DMV every three years in person.
These visits will help DMV representatives and the driver in question stay on top of eyesight exams and the ever-updating rules of the road.
Tips for older drivers
If you’re still passing your eyesight exam, and you still have your licence, why not keep driving? While your reflexes may be slowed, there are some steps you can take that’ll keep you, your loved ones, and other drivers safe on the road.
These include:
- Taking breaks on longer trips – if you’re the type who likes to take yearly road trips, you can continue with your longer drives. However, make a point of taking more breaks and refocusing after an hour or two on the road.
- Leave the phone on silent – it’s more and more tempting to use your phone while driving. After all, smartphones have maps that you can use to keep from getting lost. However, you should do your best to keep the phone on silent while you’re behind the wheel. If you can’t, pass your phone to another person in the car and let them read off your directions or text messages for you.
- Maintain a safe following distance – everyone has their own driving style, but you should always avoid tailgating another driver, no matter your age. As you get older, be sure to leave enough space between your car and the next car that you can break quickly without getting into an accident.
- Drive during the day – it’s much more difficult to detect obstacles in the dark than it is during the day time. As you get older, try to spend your daylight hours on the road and your nighttime hours with friends, family, or at home.
- Avoid going out in bad weather – the UK’s weather is notoriously volatile, which can make it difficult to plan your drives. If you notice that the sky’s turning dark, you may want to find something to do at home for the day. If you have no choice but to go out, then drive with care and take your time getting to your destination.
- Plan your route ahead of time – finally, there’s no harm in planning out the route you want to take to your preferred destination before you get into the car. Have a passenger use their GPS to direct you, or have your own map at the ready. This kind of preparation will help you stay focused and safe.
When to stop driving
Unfortunately, there may come a time when you no longer feel safe getting behind the wheel of a car. Knowing when to stop driving is difficult, especially if it’s a freedom that you don’t want to give up. You need to keep your safety on the road in mind, though, while also considering the safety of others.
It may be time to put the car keys away if:
- Your reactions have slowed considerably
- Driving in the city or during high-traffic hours causes you extreme stress
- Your glasses or lens can no longer compensate for your eyesight
- You can a medical condition that makes it more difficult to respond to obstacles on the road
Families whose older members have Alzheimer’s or other illnesses that impact a person’s memory may have to work with those members to make them stop driving. Note, though, that these instances are highly personal and need to be addressed individually.
Driving is a luxury most earn as teenagers and enjoy for their whole lives. There’s nothing wrong, though, with giving up driving when the time comes. If you think your driving compromises the road safety of yourself and others, then don’t feel any shame in handing off your keys. Alternatively, if you have the wits and reaction times to stay on the road, why not make the most of it?