Davis Law Group, P.S.

How Old Is Too Old?

There are over 20 million drivers over seventy that are driving on the roads today. The national figure is expected to triple by 2030 with motorists over sixty-five climbing to over 57 million. After the age of 75, evidence shows that physical capabilities such as visual acuity and peripheral vision start to decline, ultimately leading to unsafe driving decisions. Alzheimer’s disease as well as other forms of dementia can also affect the elderly, making it difficult to make decisions, remember directions and reach destinations. While our parents and grandparents should be treated with respect, elderly drivers with poor vision, slower reflexes and diminished awareness of surroundings, their desire for an independent lifestyle can endanger other drivers.

Despite their growing numbers, there have been significantly less fatal collisions involving seniors between 1997 and 2006 than in years past. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety indicate that the safest drivers are in the age group between sixty-four and sixty-nine years-old. This statistic may be surprising because seniors have higher crash rates per mile driven but the rate of fatalities per capita among seniors has decreased 40% and is now at its lowest level since 1975. This decrease can be attributed to the dramatically improved health of seniors and the initiative they’ve taken towards making safer driving decisions. For example, avoiding rush hour traffic and driving at night or in bad weather conditions. Driving skill is not based on age, but on the health of driver.

Still, the facts remain; even with the numbers lower than they have been, crashes involving senior drivers are much more likely to result in a fatality than other age groups. In fact, crash data shows, senior drivers over the age of 65 are overly involved in fatal crashes. Teenagers may be involved in more car accidents but they are less likely to be fatal because they have the advantage of youth. This statistic makes it even more important that senior drivers use caution when they decide to get behind the wheel because if their choices not only affect their own life but the lives of others as well.

Discussing concerns about an elderly loved one’s declining driving capabilities is always a sensitive subject. Most senior drivers don’t want to hear that they are losing their ability to drive safely from a family member and the conversation is usually met with denial, hostility, or hurt feelings. If they have to hear it from someone they want it to be their physician and not a member of their family. It is important that you speak with your loved ones doctor if you are worried about their ability to drive safely. With varying skill and mental and physical capabilities, elderly drivers should only be allowed to take the road if they can do it safely and responsibly.

To make the conversation about an elderly loved ones driving ability easier, here is a list of warning signs from The American Medical Association's "Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers” that will help indicate whether or not your elderly loved can continue driving. If any of these apply to your elderly loved one then it may be a good time to discuss options for alternative modes of transportation.

1. I have trouble seeing signs in time to respond to them and I tend to get lost while driving.

2. Other cars seem to appear out of nowhere and the glare from oncoming headlights bothers me.

3. Other drivers drive too fast and often honk at me.

4. Busy intersections bother me and making left-hand turns make me nervous.

5. My medication makes me dizzy or drowsy.

6. I have trouble turning the steering wheel, pushing down on the gas pedal or brakes, looking over my shoulder when I back up and it takes me a long time to park my car.

7. I have been stopped by the police for my driving recently.

8. I don't like to drive at night and driving in general stresses me out.