Car Safety: Safer Cars for the Elderly

Car safety for the elderly is important to consider, especially if you have a loved one that is an elderly driver. If you are a caretaker and wondering whether the senior you are responsible for should be driving, the following tips will help.

Tip 1 – Ride with the Senior Driver

Ride with them and observe. Then ask yourself these questions.

• Do they drive at appropriate speeds?
• Are they slowing down at stop signs and stop lights without sudden braking.?
• Are they leaving the proper distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front?
• Are they aware of pedestrians or bicyclists?
• Do they lose their sense of direction?
• Are they yielding to other vehicles?
• How good is their peripheral vision?
• Do they drift across lanes or change lanes without signaling?
• Do they run over curbs?
• Are they observing traffic signs?
• Do they appear to become drowsy, confused, overly anxious?

Tip 2 – Evaluate Their Driving

Evaluate their driving, then consider whether they may need medical attention or corrective lenses to improve their driving.

Tip 3 – Make Adjustments

Consider if they can drive better using the following guidelines:

• No driving at night
• Driving only to familiar places
• Avoid driving on freeways or other busy highways
• Always leave early so he does not have to hurry to get to his destination
• Drive with someone else present
• Never drive in inclement weather