Resources for older drivers

(links from the NMRA and VicRoads websites)

 

Your health is closely connected to your driving. You must be able to see well enough to detect hazards in different types of lighting, judge distances, adjust to traffic speed, and read road signs.

Your brain must be alert enough to quickly decide the correct course of action in any type of traffic situation, including unexpected ones.

Your body must also be able to respond and react quickly.

As you get older, you change physically and mentally. These changes can and do affect your driving skills. Getting older does not automatically make you a poor driver. Many people continue to be safe drivers well into their retirement years.

You have control over lifestyle choices that may affect your health, for example, what and when you eat, how much and what kind of exercise you get, how you handle stress, how much social interaction you seek, and so forth. A healthy, responsive body, along with an alert mind, requires good nutrition, adequate rest, and exercise to maintain or increase strength, flexibility, and sharp reflexes.

Physical and Mental Fitness

Ageing brings changes in our physical mobility. For example, can you still turn your head to look over your shoulder when backing or changing lanes? Do you feel weakness in your arms or legs when steering, braking, or accelerating?

Staying fit and active will help you maintain the muscle strength and the flexibility you need to drive safely. Exercise and physical activity don't have to be strenuous, and don't have to require special equipment. You can exercise in the comfort of your own home by lifting light-weight items such as soup cans or 500 ml water bottles. You can rhythmically squeeze a small ball or a stuffed animal to strengthen your hand and upper arms while watching television.

No matter what your condition or age, there is some type of exercise or activity you can do that will benefit you. You could try:

 

Walking    Gardening

Bowling    Shopping

DancingAquarobics

Lifting WeightsLifting Weights

 

These are just a few suggestions. The important thing is to be active and do what is comfortable for you. Exercise not only makes driving easier and safer, it can prevent or delay many disabilities, diseases, and other conditions.

Ask your physician what type of activity would be suitable for you and be sure to consult them before beginning any new exercise program. Mental exercise is also beneficial - reading, word or number puzzles help and jigsaw puzzles sharpen your visual search skills.

For more information:

,Pedestrians over 65 : VicRoads

Fit to Drive FS Ageing Safe Driving HRV1Jan 19 (1).pdf

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Safe Driving Tips

• Stiff joints can make turning your head to see behind you difficult. Install large side mirrors and/or a panoramic mirror on your vehicle. Turn your body to look behind you when backing or changing lanes.

• As muscles lose strength, turning the steering wheel gets harder. Don't swing wide on turns to compensate. Drive a vehicle with power steering. If you still have trouble, try using a turning knob.

• Tired muscles and sore joints can distract you. Make sure you are well-rested before driving. Stop frequently to rest on long trips.

• Give yourself time to react. Stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you (on a highway, this is the length of about one city block or approximately 500 metres). Anticipate danger. Watch out for other drivers.

 

Is your car set up for you?

As people age their bodies become less flexible and some people experience discomfort when seated in their car.

Modern cars have a wide range of adjustments that can be made to seats, head restraints, steering wheels and mirrors that will increase comfort and safety.

Many drivers share cars with other family members who are different shapes and sizes and knowing how to "fit" your car around you is important.

Elements to check after someone else has driven your car include:

• Is the seat is positioned the correct distance from the steering wheel to protect you against injury in a crash.

• Does the height of the steering wheel allow you to see the road clearly while providing a comfortable driving experience?

• Are all three car mirrors are adjusted correctly to give you the best field of vision?

• Is the head restraint is at the right height and distance from your head to protect you from neck injury in a crash?History of CarFitCarFit was created by American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association), AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association. It has been running successfully in USA since 2005at best.

 

Is it time to hang up your keys?

 Are you observing these behaviors:

Going through stop signs or red lights

Problems seeing road signs or traffic signals

Straying into other lanes

Going too fast or too slow for safety

Performing jerky stops or starts 

Bump or scraping the car on fences or garage doors

Forgetting where you are going?

Feeling tired after a short drive?

Are friends and family refusing to drive with you?

 

Have your driving skills assessed.

There are a few ways of getting assessed. Professional driving instructors can help you sharpen your skills and provide you with the experience of having someone independently observe your driving skills and provide you with the appropriate feedback to enhance your skills. Many senior drivers have found this useful, particularly if they are approaching the stage where they need to have their license renewed. Occupational therapists can do an out-of-car assessment in a safe environment (or even in your own home). Ask your GP for a referral.
 

Transport options

If you do need alternative options for driving, you could consider:

1/2 price taxi card (quite difficult to obtain)

Sunassist Volunteer Transport

HACC services (ring the Council)

Buses - they have kneeling buses that tip toward the curb so you can get your walker in without stepping up.

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A great website: http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/the_aging_drivers_safety_guide.html