Owning a vehicle and driving it regularly goes hand in hand with the way us Aussies live. Since we are so heavily dependent on our cars, there is no legal age limit for when people should stop driving. However, the ability to drive, like any other skill that requires regular uses your sensory organs and nerve reflexes, gradually deteriorates with age as our senses, nerves and health usually take a turn for the worse. If you are concerned about the ability or safety of an elderly loved one when they’re on the road, this post will be very relevant to you. Here are five signs that an elderly person should stop driving :
Reduced ability to see: A decline in vision affects an elderly driver’s ability to gauge conditions and traffic on the road and drive accordingly. It also affects their confidence in driving during night time and in bright sunlight as well. If the elderly person in question is showing signs of not being able to see clearly regardless of wearing glasses or not, it may be a sign for them to stop driving.
Reduced ability to hear: Apart from reduced vision, hearing loss too can significantly impede an elderly driver’s safety and ability to drive. If the elderly person regularly misses important sounds on the road such as the sirens, bells and horns, it may be a cause for concern as their hearing may impact on their ability to drive safely.
Degeneration of basic driving skills: Some of the ‘red flags’ for these include changing lanes suddenly, braking abruptly, having near crashing experiences with what is on the road, slower driving speed in general, reactions that show confusion or anxiety, struggling to read directions and signs, missing intersections and exits.
Health problems: Health challenges found typically in elderly people such as dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s together with impaired mobility and sensory functions inevitably jeopardises their agility, alertness and response time when driving.
Side effects of medications: This can significantly reduce their ability to concentrate, stay alert and have a sense of awareness of the roads around them, especially when they are consumed in combination and regularly.
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As a driver, you may have experienced a small chip in your windscreen at some point in time. It may seem like a minor inconvenience,