Elderly drivers are considered a high-risk group and auto insurance companies are requesting them to hang up the keys and are asking families to take note of the driving abilities of their elderly drivers at home. Elderly drivers are responsible for at least 14% of all the crashes and 22% of fatalities caused due to crashes. The numbers have been steadily increasing in comparison with previous years.
Although elderly drivers are high-risk groups they are not considered intentionally unsafe, but like the teens they too have a set of issues that are quite unique and that needs to be evaluated by their driving skills. This will also see an increase in their auto insurance rates. Deciding to hang up the keys is always a tough decision but it’s a decision that will have to be taken to prevent any unfortunate incidents in future both for the elderly drivers themselves as well as the other drivers on the road.
Deciding to stop driving is not so easy and revoking a license based on a person’s age would be unfair on drivers who are over that age but have safe driving habits. This decision is a very personal and an emotional one. Hence, the elders must be involved in the decision making and the discussions along with other members of the family to reduce the emotional impact of such a decision.
There are many issues that the elderly face and they need to be evaluated for the same. Some of these issues include slow reflexes, impaired vision, loss of flexibility and muscle strength. There are some medications that may cause drowsiness.
Evaluations of elderly drivers will have to be honest and observations should include the following:
- Drive too slow or too fast.
- Slow response or a failure to notice pedestrians and other drivers.
- Incorrect in judging distances.
- Is on meds that cause drowsiness.
- Disoriented and loses the way frequently.
- Has difficulty while turning to see behind or besides the car.
- Has difficulty reading signals and responds incorrectly.
- Has difficulty swerving to avoid a hit.
- Continues to drive in spite of being advised by the physician not to drive.
If the answer is in the positive to any of the above-mentioned factors then it’s better to just hang up the car keys.
But elderly drivers who are still good on the road can take up the classes offered by AARP and continue safe driving.
