Safer Driving Tips for the Older Driver
Introduction
The information and images on this page have been taken from a
leaflet entitled "Older & Wiser". RoSPA are the authors
and copyright holders of the leaflet, and therefore the text and
images on this page.
There is no specific age at which drivers start to be less safe
on the roads. Experience means that drivers in their fifties
generally have a lower risk of having a road accident than other
age groups.
However, other factors mean that after the age of 60, the risk
increases steadily. Experience means that drivers in their fifties
generally have a lower risk of having a road accident than other
age groups. However, other factors mean that after the age of 60,
the risk increases steadily. By the age of 75, drivers are at least
twice as likely to be involved in road accidents compared to when
they were in their fifties. This is because many of the skills we
need to drive are affected as we get older. Generally, when these
changes start at about 55 years old, they are hardly noticeable,
but they will continue until they become very obvious as about 75
years of age.
People of all ages often think they drive better than they
actually do. So it is important that when nature begins to
tell you to slow down, you recognise that your driving will be
affected. The good new is that by changing the way you drive just
slightly, you should be able to carry on driving more safely - and
enjoying it.
As We Get Older
Although everyone is different, the following changes are
likely:
1. Reaction times get slower:
Leaving a bigger safety gap in front of you will give you more
time to stop in an emergency. Avoid driving if you are tired or
feeling unwell. Remember that alcohol slows your reactions still
further and should be avoided altogether when driving. Suitable
regular exercise, both mental and physical, can restrict the
slowing down effects of ageing.
2. Making decisions takes longer:
The impatience of other road users may cause you to hurry, with
the result that you are far more likely to make mistakes. Planning
your journeys so that you avoid busy or difficult junctions
(particularly right turns) and peak traffic times will help you not
feel so rushed. If you find motorway driving stressful, you can
avoid it by taking an alternative route. Looking further ahead as
you drive may help you see problems before you meet them head on,
and you will have more time to plan what you do.
3. Driving is more tiring and more
stressful:
Give yourself plenty of time for your journey and allow for
regular breaks if you are travelling a long way. Try to
recognise which situations make you feel tense and avoid them.
Remember that drowsiness is made worse by alcohol and by some
medicines.
4. Eyesight and hearing will not be as
sharp:
The weakening of eyesight due to age starts at about 45 years
and is usually quite slow. For this reason, people often don't know
that their vision isn't as good as it ought to be for safe driving.
It is therefore important to have your eyes checked regularly by a
qualified optician and to wear any glasses prescribed for you. Try
to avoid driving at twilight or in the dark, because as you get
older your eyes react much slower to changes in light conditions.
In particular, recovery from being dazzled takes much longer.
5. Greater need for medicine or drugs:
Because of health problems, older people take more medicine and
drugs than other age groups . Frequently, drivers are unaware
of the effects that medicines (even non-prescription ones) can have
on their driving. It is important to take note of what your GP says
and always read the labels and instructions on medicines
carefully.
6. Overall agility decreases:
Driving safely requires good awareness of what is happening on
the road, not just in front of you but all round - and especially
to the rear. If you suffer from arthritis or stiffness of the
joints which restricts your movement, then your observation is
likely to be affected. In this case, you might chose to fit special
"blind-spot" rear view mirrors to help. Some doctors also suggest
that exercise may improve your mobility. Your own GP should be able
to advise you.
Laws and Regulations
With many years of experience, you will have seen and got used
to many changes on the roads. Volumes of traffic, road layouts and
even road signs have changed a lot in the last forty years. Whether
we like it or not, they will carry on changing in the future.
In order to drive more safely, it is therefore necessary to keep
up to date with new traffic laws and road designs. Regardless of
age, all drivers should remind themselves from time to time of the
Highway Code.
Planning for the Future
Most people in this country could benefit from gentle exercise
provided by walking or cycling. When planning your retirement, it’s
worth remembering that you will not always be able (or want) to
drive. So, by living close to amenities which you use – and to your
friends and family – you will not be so seriously affected when
it’s no longer possible to drive.
Many older people find that visits to family and friends – and
holidays – become much more enjoyable when they no longer have to
worry about driving. Remember to make the most of reduced price
travel schemes offered on public transport and by most local
authorities.
Buying a Car
When you are buying a new or second-hand car, there are some
features you could consider that might make driving easier for
you:
- Power-assisted steering and automatic gear changing, as they
require less physical strength
- Clear rather than tinted glass windows allow the driver to see
better
- Easy access to and from the car will help if you have
restricted mobility
- Good all round visibility
- Comfortable and easily adjustable seats
Sharing the
Driving
If you or your partner can both drive you may wish to share the
driving. This will help keep you both in practice, and reduce the
amount one of you has to drive. In this way, if one of you has to
give up driving, the other will still be confident enough to drive
and your normal routine won’t be disrupted so much.
Giving Up
Driving
For the sake of your mobility, independence and well-being you
will want to carry on driving as long as possible. If you are able
to act on the advice we have offered here, you will be able to do
so more safely.
However, there will come a time when you will consider giving up
your licence to avoid risking injury to yourself and other people.
If your family and friends say they are concerned about your
driving then there may well be good reason.
A driving licence is valid until a driver’s 70th birthday. After
this, it will be renewed upon application, at three yearly
intervals, as long as the driver makes a self- declaration of
fitness to drive. The renewal period is less for people with
certain medical conditions.
In most cases the decision about when to stop driving is left up
to the individual, hopefully acting on any advice given. Your
doctor will probably know the best about your ability to continue
driving, but bear in mind that they might be reluctant to advise
you to stop, knowing that this might result in a big change in
lifestyle.
The advantages of giving up:
- no more worry about driving;
- no more worry about parking;
- no more unexpected repair bills.
If your annual mileage is quite low then you may be paying more
to keep your car than it would cost to travel everywhere by
taxi!
