|
Staying Safe
The following suggestions can help you remain fit to drive during your senior years
Maintain Your Fitness & An Active Lifestyle:
Staying healthy & active positively affects your ability to remain fit-to-drive. A healthy lifestyle includes:
Regular exercise such as walking or dancing
Eating a healthy diet
Getting adequate sleep each night (7 - 8 hours)
Consuming alcohol in moderation
Maintaining an active social life
Keeping yourself mentally stimulated
Stay Informed
- If you have been driving for many years, you will find that there have been significant changes in both road rules & road safety practices since your first got behind the wheel of a car. Make sure you keep informed of the current rules & are familiar with the road signs & markings. You may find it useful to refer to one of the many "Older Driver Handbooks" that are available.
-
Take a Refresher Course
Undertake a Driver Refresher Program such as that offered by the RAC. You may also consider taking a few refresher driving lessons with an instructor who specialises in working with seniors
-
- Talk To Your Doctor:
- Your doctor must be aware that you are still driving. Ensure you question your doctor about the impact of the medications you are taking on your driving. Research has shown that some medications negatively affect your ability to drive safely. This is not only the case with prescribed medications, but can also be true for medications bought over the counter. If you consume alcohol in combination with medications, the affect can be compounded.
- Make sure you read the labels on your medications & take them exactly as directed. Organise for someone else to drive or take public transport if your medication is likely to affect your ability to drive safely.
-
Drive Defensively:
Ensure that when you are driving you are alert & minimise distractions (including passengers). Always be on the look out for unexpected situations and potential problems & be ready to respond.
Drive A Safe Vehicle:
Ensure that you are driving a safe vehicle. As senior drivers are more vulnerable when involved in an accident it is important that you are driving a vehicle that has a five star safety rating & is well maintained.
-
Seek Feedback:
-
-
Ask your trusted family & friends to give you honest feedback about your driving ability.
-
Monitor your own performance eg. minor accidents, road infringements
-
-
-
-
-
Adjust Your Driving
-
-
Modify your driving patterns to avoid situations where you feel uncomfortable, stressed or unsafe. Some examples of common ways that senior drivers regulate their own driving include:
-
Limiting Night Driving:
-
Many seniors find driving at night challenging. As you age the ability to deal with headlight glare and other issues become a more significant problem. If you are becoming uncomfortable with night driving make a decision to avoid it.
-
-
Avoiding Complex Right Turns:
-
Turning across traffic at busy junctions is one of the most significant crash risks for older drivers. Consider taking an alternative route that will allow you to avoid the need to turn across traffic even if the route is longer.
-
Avoid Peak Periods:
-
Peak traffic periods are usually between 8:00am - 9:00am and between 4:00pm and 6:00pm weekdays. As a result, there are more cars on the road and therefore more accidents. Decide to avoid driving during these times.
-
- Plan For Future Change
-
-
Many seniors eventually need to either modify their driving or cease driving all together. It is useful to plan for these future changes before it becomes necessary. Decisions about where you will live & alternatives for how you will get around will have a big impact on your future independence.
-
-
If you have a condition that will affect your mental functioning such as Alzheimer's Disease, consider writing a driving agreement with your family that outlines when you want them to encourage you to stop driving as your condition changes.
-
-
|