For many older individuals, driving is an essential part of their independence since it gives them flexibility and movement. However, with age, various factors can impact driving abilities. Maintaining one’s safety when driving is important for defending both oneself and other people. This article will explore ways senior citizens can enhance their driving safety.
What Challenges Do Seniors Face When Driving?
Driving may be impacted by the physical and mental changes that come with aging. Common problems include impaired eyesight, hearing loss, slowed response times, and weaker muscles.
An NCBI study found that chronological age led to higher reaction times. This was especially true under stress, like when there was a lot of traffic. However, it was also found that the age impact on driving-related cognitive abilities is not huge over a short time. It can only impact significantly over a long-term cognitive decline.
Furthermore, certain drugs might make it difficult to drive. Enhancing safety begins with acknowledging these obstacles. By understanding how aging affects driving, seniors can take proactive measures to address these issues and continue driving safely.
It is due to such reasons that many seniors get into accidents and even lose their lives. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 20 older adults die in crashes every day. Over 500 are also injured daily, with elders over 70 years having higher crash rates.
That does not imply that they would always be to blame for the crashes, though. In fact, many accidents occur due to the negligence of others and not the elders. Consider the example of a recent crash in Colorado Springs.
KRDO News states that a 67-year-old woman pulled out a stop sign at the Marksheffel and Space Village Ave junction. She was driving a Subaru that hit a 1930 Model A Ford. Two elderly men, 82 and 80 years old, were the driver and passenger of the Ford vehicle. The passenger, who was 80-years-old faced life-threatening injuries. Both the seniors were taken to the hospital immediately for health check-ups.
This shows that others can be at fault, too, in accidents involving elders. In such a scenario, the injured person or their family members can take legal procedures to seek fair compensation. In this particular scenario, the elders can hire a Colorado Springs auto accident attorney to file a lawsuit.
The lawyer will then also help them calculate the damages incurred, including medical expenses, harm to the car, etc. According to Springs Law Group, some damages that you can recover through a legal process are:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Lost earnings
- Vehicle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
Regular Health Check-ups
Keeping oneself healthy is important to preserving driving safety. Tests for vision and hearing can identify issues that could make driving dangerous. Vision disorders such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts can be very detrimental. This may make it challenging to see other cars, pedestrians, or road signs.
Tests for hearing impairments might reveal problems that could make it difficult for a motorist to hear horns, sirens, or other significant noises. Routine medical examinations can also help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, which can impact driving abilities.
What Are the Most Common Eye Problems With Age?
Your eyes naturally change as you age, just like the rest of your body does. This can lead to numerous eye problems as you get old. Harvard Medical School lists the following four age-related eye conditions as the most prevalent ones:
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
These are the four conditions for which elders should get regular eye check-ups. In fact, the frequency to visit an ophthalmologist should increase with their age.
Staying Physically Active
Maintaining the strength, flexibility, and coordination required for safe driving requires physical exercise. Exercise can improve reaction times, enhance muscle strength, and increase overall endurance. Exercises such as yoga, swimming, and walking can be very helpful.
Strengthening exercises targeting the arms, legs, and core can help with steering, braking, and maintaining control of the vehicle. Maintaining an active lifestyle enhances general health and wellbeing in addition to improving driving.
A study was conducted to see how physical activities can influence the driving abilities of the aging population. Two groups were selected, in which one group engaged in 12 exercises taking 90 minutes for 12 weeks. It was concluded that after 12 weeks, the group that did exercise had better driving ability.
Does Exercise Help With Driving?
Yes, exercise does help with an overall positive driving experience. In fact, it can also help overcome some driving-related challenges associated with age. For instance, exercises that help with motion can improve your ability to turn and look behind while backing up. Similarly, flexibility exercises can help you turn your head nicely to see blind spots when changing lanes.
Vehicle Maintenance and Adaptations
Driving safely depends on keeping your car in excellent operating order. Mechanical problems that result in accidents can be avoided by routinely checking the brakes, tires, lights, and fluid levels. Additionally, adapting the vehicle to meet specific needs can enhance safety.
For example, installing larger mirrors can improve visibility, and using seat cushions or pedal extenders can provide better control and comfort. Some seniors might benefit from vehicles with advanced safety features like rearview cameras, blind-spot monitors, or automatic braking systems.
Using Technology
Modern technology offers several tools to enhance driving safety. Real-time traffic reports and directions from GPS devices can help drivers avoid jams and accidents. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are capable of helping with parking, lane maintenance, and preventing collisions.
The goal of technological features such as sophisticated driver-assistance systems is to increase driving safety. When implemented correctly, these systems enhance the driver’s reaction time to roadside hazards through the use of a human-machine interface.
Automated systems and early warning systems improve safety and response times to any threats. Although some automobiles come with some of these systems pre-installed, owners can subsequently add aftermarket extras or whole systems to further customize their cars.
How Does Technology Help in Road Safety?
Telematic data may be utilized to educate drivers, identify significant driving behaviors, and motivate people to drive more cautiously. Other technologies also depend heavily on telematics. For optimal impact, safety systems must evaluate driving behavior in real-time. The data for these analyses comes from telematics.
Seniors can keep driving safely if they recognize the obstacles and take proactive measures. These precautions guarantee their safety and enhance the welfare of all motorists. Maintaining driving safety allows seniors to enjoy the freedom and independence that driving provides while also protecting themselves and others.
