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News: The effects of aging on driving As we get older the multiple tasks that we have to make every time we are behind the wheel of a car become increasingly difficult. Getting older does not necessarily mean that we have to stop driving. However it is important to know when the time comes that the physical limitations of an advancing age do not allow us to drive any more..... Read more |
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An aging body and mind impair driving. The coordination of hands, feet, eyes, ears and other body movements depends on the functional integrity of each organ or body part involved. As age advances the effects of time decrease our ability to sense, decide and act rapidly. |
August 2003
The effects of an aging body and mind will inevitably sooner or later affect our driving abilities.
Accepting that the time has come to give up the keys, can be a very hard decision. Driving is a way of being independent. It is natural that we want this freedom as long as possible. However we want as well to have it in a safe way for us and the others.
Older drivers have more chances to be involved in a crash. This is true even if they drive less. Drivers more than 65 years and older, are involved in more crashes per mile driven than any other age group except teenagers. The fatality rates in this age group, are 17 times higher than those of 25 to 64 year olds.
Assessing an older driver's skills is not a simple task. Medical examinations will show vision and hearing problems which may cause problems when driving. Other diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and neurological impairments limit the ability to drive.
Self assessment is what ideally an older driver should do. He or her, is the first who realizes the change in their driving performance. This the most important first step. It allows the older driver to recognize the problems and correct them in the measure of possible. This steps helps as well the planning for the aged person, for the days when driving will really be not safe any more.
Additionally old people usually take more medicaments. Medicaments can have side effects such as tiredness, slow reaction, drowsiness, confusion. Older people are more prone to have side effects.
According to data from the National Institute of Aging, in 1983 1 out o 15 licensed drivers in America was over the age of 70. By 1995 this had risen to 1 out of 11 drivers. By 2020 1 out of every 5 Americans will be over 65 years of age and most of them will be licensed to drive.
The article included in our seventh newsletter The effects of aging on driving contains useful information about older drivers.
Now that the summer holidays are over for almost
everybody, I wish you a good start and don't forget your driving safety:
Wear your seat belt, don't drink and drive, don't drive when tired and drive
defensively.
Takis A. Haggiandreou
Director
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Aged persons should try to avoid driving in the night time or in bad weather. They should plan in advance their route, choose familiar areas and avoid busy roads. Eating, talking on a mobile phone with or without the hands when driving should be avoided. These distractions increase the risk of accidents. |
Our Proverb:
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
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