For many drivers, it is possible to continue to drive safely with age. The keys to doing so include:
- Getting routine checkups for vision and hearing, and wearing corrective lenses or hearing aids if they’ve been recommended by a doctor.
- Regularly consulting with a doctor about whether your medications can cause drowsiness or confusion.
- Knowing your limitations and avoiding situations that make you uneasy, such as driving at night or during rush hour.
- Limiting driving to times when there are favorable conditions and staying on familiar routes.
- Following common safety practices, like reducing distractions.
- Installing adaptive equipment, such as wider mirrors and pedal extenders.
- Taking a senior driving course, such as the AARP Smart Driver program, which provides refreshers on traffic laws and vehicle technologies, plus can qualify you for insurance discounts.
“Physical exercise, especially in flexibility and strength training, can also help turn the head, glance over shoulders and stay alert while driving for long periods,” says Barkan.
Finally, it’s vital to be honest with yourself about your limitations. “Losing the independence of driving a car can be a hard thing to experience, but causing an accident is not worth the risk,” says Julie Bausch Lent, managing editor of Car Talk. “Making the safe choice is always the smart choice, in this case.”
How Old Is Too Old to Drive Safely?
The age to stop driving depends on your physical health and cognitive acuity. Some people drive well into their late 80s and 90s, while others might find driving to be risky by their 70s.
“A good benchmark is to look for warning signs like frequent close calls, getting lost in familiar areas or trouble staying in the correct lane,” says Bakan. “If these start happening, it’s time to reassess.”
About the Experts
- Anam Barkan is a driving solutions specialist and founder at HireGo Minibuses, a company that provides private and commercial chauffeur and minibus hire services in the UK.
- Julie Bausch Lent is managing editor of Car Talk, the digital content iteration of the long-running NPR show about all things automotive.
- Mike Agruss is CEO, founder and personal injury lawyer at 844SeMike Personal Injury Lawyers, where he has dealt with many car accident cases.
