As we age, our motor skills, vision and cognitive abilities diminish. There is no magic age when this occurs.. However, according to the
Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, in 2007 motor vehicle crash deaths per capita among males and females began to increase markedly starting at ages 70-74. Interestingly, across all age groups males had substantially higher death rates than females.
The rate of passenger vehicle fatal crash per 100 million miles traveled was higher for drivers 80 and older than for drivers of any other age group except teenagers. Drivers 85 and older had the highest rate of fatal crashes.
Passenger vehicle fatal crash involvements per 100 million miles traveled by driver age, April 2001 to March 2002
Fatality Facts 2007, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
A common problem family’s encounter is dealing with an aging parent whose driving abilities look to have diminished to the point where they no longer look safe to drive. Children with aging parents realize that confronting a parent over stopping to drive can be painful. But they are concerned not only for a parent’s well-being but for the safety of children in the neighborhood, the jogger or cyclists along the side of the road, and other drivers they must share the road.
Few people look forward to the problems associated with aging. Even fewer consider the fact that they may need to change their driving patterns or to give up driving altogether. Confronting a parent about this is no fun. They may have been the one that taught you how to drive, and now you want to take away their car and license.
The best way to address this problem is with a team approach. Doing it yourself alone or with one of your siblings is not prudent. You end up being the “bad guy.” Your team should consist of you, your supporting family members and those in the medical field.
Most family or general practitioners are not comfortable of telling a patient they have had for years, that he or she should no longer drive. Most are not trained in neuropsycholgy or geriatrics. Few are familiar with the driving rehabilitation profession and how to properly address this issue.
If the primary care physician can work with the family members – the children of the aging parent – and those that specialize in dealing with older people and driving evaluations, the decision will be one that involves a variety of opinions and recommendations. The medical professionals that are trained in this area, take driving cessation seriously. They want to keep a person active and driving as long as it is safe for them and for society.
Depending on the situation, car adaptation might be all that is required. For example, larger mirrors and steering aids may help with the current situation. Other situations may require changes in behavior. For example, limiting driving to certain destinations, driving only during certain times of the day, or avoiding freeway driving.
The parent is more apt to accept a medical recommendation over a child’s. One concern we hear from aging parents when asked about driving cessation is that they do not want to be a burden to their children or grandchildren. The family members, neighbors and friends all need to help the aging individual cover all of his or her transportation requirements.