Beyond Driving with Dignity
By David Stamberg of Senior Care Authority
From the June 2024 editions of The Neighbors and Northern Valley Living Magazines
For many of my expert articles, I have focused on Senior Living and all the things to consider. Because of a couple of terrible accidents involving Senior Drivers in Bergen County in March, this article will focus on the complex and sensitive senior driving issue. Unfortunately, too many of us are avoiding a conversation that must happen with our aging loved ones.
The Facts Identify the Problem
An average of 500 older adults are injured every day in car crashes (U.S. Department of Transportation)
Older drivers are expected to outlive their safe driving ability by 7-10 years (National Highway and Safety Administration)
Drivers 85 and older are nine times more likely to die in a crash than are people 25-69 (American Medical News)
Drivers 75 or older are 17 times more likely to cause a crash in a parking lot than driving on a regular street (Texas A&M University’s Center for Mobility).
These are only some of the statistics that call out the justified concerns for senior driving. And just like athletes retire because their skills and abilities are not the same form when they were rookies, the same goes for driving. Everyone is living longer than the safe driving skills they had for much of their driving career. Do not wait until its too late to raise the subject with someone you are concerned about.
Tips if You Need to Talk About a Retirement from Driving
Remain calm and “even keeled” when addressing your concerns.
Give specifics for why you think your family member or friend should retire from driving - don’t make general statements.
Enlist the help of other family members, friends, Physicians, and any other trusted individuals to have the conversation.
Have your “Plan B” for your loved one’s transportation needs already in place.
In essence, you must be prepared to act. If you believe a parent or older family member poses a serious risk to themselves or others, you must have the “conversation”. Just remember, you are emphasizing safety, not speaking about taking away their independence. As a matter of fact, a retirement from driving might affect convenience but it should never equate to a loss of independence.
“I’m not sure if my dad should still be driving, but he refuses to give up the keys.” “My mother has had some close calls on the road and her driving really makes me nervous, but I don’t know how to talk with her about it.”
If these are concerns that you have felt about a loved one, “Beyond Driving with Dignity” can help.
“Beyond Driving with Dignity” is a facilitated self-assessment program for older drivers. Using a one-on-one approach between the older driver and a trained professional, the program helps the driver and their family make the decision to retire from driving.