Driving in the twilight: Safety measures for senior citizens

Of the many losses that come with old age, the loss of ability to drive is the worst. It severely impacts a person's mobility, thus compromising their freedom. Driving is a risky experience at an advanced age, almost as risky as it is during one's teenage.Research shows elderly drivers are 5.5 times more likely to be in a crash than middle-aged drivers. Many seniors shy away from driving despite having decades' worth of driving experience. They blame it on their increasing frailty and fragility. But this car abstinence may not work for long. As per a Pew research report, the number of baby boomers retiring is all set to increase. It is estimated that 10,000 of them “will turn 65 every day for the next 18 years”. This means we are soon going to have lots of senior citizens driving on our roads. What can be done to make driving for seniors a safer and a less torturous experience? While the federal/state governments and the car makers are doing their bit, the seniors themselves can help matters by bearing the following in mind. Assess how age is impacting your driving acumen While others may say that driving becomes a dangerous proposition after a certain age, only we know our bodies best. If you have been driving for long, you would notice deterioration, however slight, in your driving abilities. Is it the reflexes that are compromised now, or is it your vision? Does traffic stress you out more? Do you get nervous if you are driving during rush hour? You need to be honest with yourself about how age is impacting your driving. If you don't think age has yet made a difference, continue driving regardless of how old you are. Invest in a good car Make sure the one you have is in a good working condition at all times. Get it serviced regularly. You don't want it to die on you in the middle of nowhere. Don't get adventurous on the roads This will again depend on the stage of your seniority, and the state of your health. For those 70 or more years of age, it's very wise to play safer than safe. This includes driving within your comfort zone, resisting temptation to discover new routes or shorter cuts, not fiddling with the stereo player much,and in general keeping the eyes locked on the road, and moving on slow but focused. Don't let other people's actions distract you There will be younger drivers on the road who will act irritated with your slow pace. They may even utter obscenities at you. Don't pay any attention to them. Keep yourself abreast of the developments in your neighborhood Rapidly changing neighborhoods can confuse anybody. Keep up with the changes so that you don't lose your way, or inadvertently break a rule, when driving.Get around the neighborhood on foot or by bus at least twice a week. If you have younger people living with you, ask them to drive you around and keep you apprised of the changes. Keep your mobile phone with you at all times Keep it loaded with emergency numbers so that you can ring for help in case you suffer from any health conditions. Get your health checked more often than before Whether it's anache in some obscure part of the body, a sprain, or even the slightest of niggles,do not take anything for granted.Get eye and hearing tests done frequently.How well you drive is directly related to how well you see. Avoid driving in the nights entirely, and don't even think of getting behind the steering wheel if you have just had your medication. Be especially mindful of insurance Whether it's health insurance, automobile insurance, or personal injury insurance, check with your insurer how they will cover any age-related driving mishaps. Keep your insurer in the loop about your driving abilities, and how often you drive. It can affect a possible claim. Above all, be brutally honest with yourself about how time is affecting your driving and parking abilities. Some seniors resent being told they should not drive. That is understandable, but it is also rather counter-productive to continue driving just out of spite. Driving should be a pleasurable experience. If it causes more harm than good, it's not worth the bother.