When Should An Elderly Loved One Stop Driving?

It can be hard to know when an elderly loved one is creating sufficient safety concerns to insist he or she stop driving.  If you feel that your loved one should no longer be driving, the chances are your suspicions are correct.

It is important to monitor your elderly loved one’s driving skills to make sure that he or she is safe on the road.  Taking away your loved one’s keys can save his life and the lives of others.

Does your elderly loved one display the following warning signs?

• Does he constantly make comments about the challenges of driving?
• Has he recently received many parking and or traffic tickets?
• Does he become easily angered or upset when driving?
• Has he been asking for more assistance when driving?
• Has he been involved in more accidents as he continues to age?
• Does he get disoriented and not know where he is, where he’s driving, or how to get home?

The above warning signs may indicate that it is time to take away your loved one’s keys.

It is important to make sure that your loved one is able to handle the responsibilities of driving.  In order to drive safely, your loved one should be able to do the following:

• He should be able to see and hear clearly.  This also includes the ability to see well at night.
• He should not be taking medication that impairs his driving abilities.  Medications that make your loved one dizzy, drowsy or confused should not be taken when driving.
• He should still understand all traffic laws.
• He should be able to react quickly to unforeseeable road conditions and hazards.
• He should be healthy enough to drive.
• He should feel comfortable and safe when driving.

Take proper care to make sure that your elderly loved one is able to drive safely.