Should I Stop Driving At My Age?
Of course, it's a "trick question.
" There is no bright age line between those who should and shouldn't be driving.
As we all know, many factors beyond age influence whether an individual should drive.
As a car or other motor vehicle is a lethal weapon that can harm both the driver and others, nobody whether age 20 or 80 should drive unless he/she has the ability to handle the vehicle safely and is reasonably rested, alert, and attentive.
Most people 70+ years old have drivers' licenses.
They are keeping their licenses longer and spending more time on the road than in the past.
And, as the overall population ages, there will be more older drivers on the road.
As people age, their driving patterns change.
After retirement, seniors find new activities with different schedules dictating when and where they drive.
The ability to drive helps to maintain their independence.
Most seniors are safe drivers because they have many years of experience.
But when they do have an accident, they are often injured more seriously than younger drivers.
Just because one has reached a particular age, there is no reason to assume that they are an incompetent driver.
Nevertheless, since reflexes, vision, and acute hearing naturally decline when we age, it's not surprising that we may need to change our driving habits as we age.
Fortunately, the federal government has studied this question in detail and produced a helpful and informative tool.
An online resource from the National Institute of Health, (NIH) National Institute on Aging (NIA) at NIH and the U.
S.
Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can help older drivers and their families address this often sensitive topic.
The Older Drivers webpage addresses ways in which aging affects driving-such as physical and cognitive changes, and changes in driving habits.
Also discussed are common driving errors that seniors make, ways to avoid such mistakes, and general information on preventing accidents.
This thorough resource provides tips for safe driving as well as important safety features to look for in vehicles.
It reviews the regulations many states have adopted to keep older drivers and those around them safe on the road.
Finally, the Older Drivers webpage offers suggestions for how to assess when an older driver's skills change, information on refresher courses, and alternative ways to get around when driving is no longer an option.
Check out this valuable new resource at NIH's website http://nihseniorhealth.
gov/olderdrivers/howagingaffectsdriving/01.
html
" There is no bright age line between those who should and shouldn't be driving.
As we all know, many factors beyond age influence whether an individual should drive.
As a car or other motor vehicle is a lethal weapon that can harm both the driver and others, nobody whether age 20 or 80 should drive unless he/she has the ability to handle the vehicle safely and is reasonably rested, alert, and attentive.
Most people 70+ years old have drivers' licenses.
They are keeping their licenses longer and spending more time on the road than in the past.
And, as the overall population ages, there will be more older drivers on the road.
As people age, their driving patterns change.
After retirement, seniors find new activities with different schedules dictating when and where they drive.
The ability to drive helps to maintain their independence.
Most seniors are safe drivers because they have many years of experience.
But when they do have an accident, they are often injured more seriously than younger drivers.
Just because one has reached a particular age, there is no reason to assume that they are an incompetent driver.
Nevertheless, since reflexes, vision, and acute hearing naturally decline when we age, it's not surprising that we may need to change our driving habits as we age.
Fortunately, the federal government has studied this question in detail and produced a helpful and informative tool.
An online resource from the National Institute of Health, (NIH) National Institute on Aging (NIA) at NIH and the U.
S.
Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can help older drivers and their families address this often sensitive topic.
The Older Drivers webpage addresses ways in which aging affects driving-such as physical and cognitive changes, and changes in driving habits.
Also discussed are common driving errors that seniors make, ways to avoid such mistakes, and general information on preventing accidents.
This thorough resource provides tips for safe driving as well as important safety features to look for in vehicles.
It reviews the regulations many states have adopted to keep older drivers and those around them safe on the road.
Finally, the Older Drivers webpage offers suggestions for how to assess when an older driver's skills change, information on refresher courses, and alternative ways to get around when driving is no longer an option.
Check out this valuable new resource at NIH's website http://nihseniorhealth.
gov/olderdrivers/howagingaffectsdriving/01.
html
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