Hanging Up the Car Keys
I hope that it doesn’t take your dog or your passengers to have this look on their faces before you consider whether you should continue to drive!
Driving, for many of us, provides a world of independence, but likely there will come a time when it is no longer safe, prudent, or cost effective to own a vehicle and drive. I’d hope that it does not take a family member taking away your keys or the authorities taking away your license, but if they do, it is out of concern for your safety and for the safety of others.
Most of us who contracted polio in the developed world are now 65 years or older and many of us are octogenarians! One of my friends (who never had polio), was a nun. The religious order she belonged to required that all nuns over age 80 who were insured drivers using the order’s vehicles have a formal driving assessment and she fiercely fought the process. She may have secretly known the outcome because the testing showed her reaction time and problem-solving abilities were significantly impaired.
Here are a few warning signs of unsafe driving:
Delayed response to unexpected situations.
Becoming easily distracted while driving.
Decrease in confidence while driving.
Having difficulty moving into or maintaining the correct lane of traffic.
Hitting curbs when making right turns or backing up.
Paint scrapes from getting too close to obstacles
Needing to use your hand to lift your foot onto or off the brake or accelerator.
Or, You can answer these questions for yourself by using this checklist from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center:
Note: More than 2 to 3 “yes” answers should have you seriously considering looking into an adaptive driving evaluation or giving up your keys.
Other drivers honk at me
Busy intersections bother me
Avoid left-hand turns
Other cars seem to appear out of nowhere & drive too fast
I have been stopped by police recently for my driving
Turning the steering wheel is difficult for me (there may be some fixes for this!)
I’ve had more “near misses” lately
I have trouble seeing street signs in time to respond to them (go get an eye exam!)
I have recently caused a car accident or fender bender
I get confused or lost in familiar places
It’s hard for me to look over my shoulder when I’m backing up or changing lanes.
(Note: Some technology in newer cars may be able to help with your visual field in these circumstances)
My friends and family tell me they’re worried about my driving or that they are afraid to ride with me when I’m driving.
The AARP Driving Program, in person or online, now includes information on how to know when you should consider stopping driving and how to access alternative transportation options.
There are specially certified driver rehabilitation specialists or adaptive driving specialists, but they may not be available in less populated areas. These specialists often have driving simulators that allow them to simulate driving situations without any danger to you or anyone else. Many driver rehab specialists have an occupational therapy background. Health insurance may cover part of the cost, but this may also not be a covered service.
Many companies that install adaptive driving aids, such as hand controls, require that you have a driving assessment by a driver rehab specialist and any necessary training using the device so that you can safely drive using the adaptive equipment before they will install the adaptive driving aid.
Have you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions above? I suggest that it may be time to evaluate your options.
Here Are Some Things to Consider:
Owning a car is more expensive than most of us realize. AAA estimated that in 2023, the average cost of owning a new car, driven 15,000 miles per year, is now slightly more than $1,000/month ($12,182 per year). There are several calculators available on-line that apply to your location, miles driven, etc. if you Google, “annual cost of owning a car”. Giving up your car keys might save you a bunch of money! Imagine how many taxi rides or trips in a rideshare or other transportation you could purchase for $1,000 per month?
What are the options for alternate transportation in your area? Which ones are you aware of and what other choices are there? There will be less choices in rural areas than in urban areas, but often neighbors in rural areas are eager and very willing to help drive elders to appointments, run errands, and sometimes even to socialize.
In part 2 of this article, I’ll discuss resources for information about transportation for someone who doesn’t drive or no longer drives.