You might have seen your senior relative driving erratically or doing something behind the wheel that you consider to be dangerous. Now you're wondering if it's time to take away his car keys. Before you initiate a discussion about it, set aside some time to discuss his medications and physical limitations, and take a drive with him to observe him in action.
Age Versus Ability
Don't base your decisions about driving ability on your relative's age alone. In its 2008 North American License Policies Workshop Recommendations, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety advises that states should "base final licensing decisions on functional and medical fitness to drive (and not chronological age)." This senior-safety workshop included participants from individual state Departments of Motor Vehicles, universities, medical schools and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The group recommended that "age-triggered assessments" of individual driving abilities aren't practical, but "age-triggered screenings" should be used to determine if older drivers need further evaluation.
The workshop recommendations would contribute to a model driver-licensing program, which doesn't yet exist in most states. But you, as a concerned family member, can screen your relative and decide if she needs further assessment of her ability to drive.
Screening Your Relative
If you see your relative on a regular basis, you might not notice the physical and behavioral changes that are taking place because they're happening gradually. Make a point of observing him as he goes about his daily routine and note any changes in his physical, mental and emotional states. Pay attention to signs that his vision has deteriorated or that his reflexes are slow. Note whether he has trouble making decisions or is forgetful. Use a self-assessment questionnaire, such as the one developed by the Road Automobile Club of Queensland to help you determine how your senior relative perceives things, such as traffic and intersections, as well as his own physical conditions.
Go for a short ride with him. Observe whether he has physical limitations that prevent him from turning his head to look out the rear or side windows or that cause difficulty with steering and braking, including moving his foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal. Note any problems with his vision, including seeing road signs, stop signs and traffic signals. If he has hearing loss, observe the way in which it affects his driving, especially whether he hears other drivers' horns or the sounds of cars behind or beside him. Pay attention to his reactions when road conditions change, his ability to change lanes and his use of turn signals.
Discuss Observations
Some of the problems you might have noticed while observing your relative can be corrected or improved. For example, her poor vision might be a result of neglecting to have regular eye exams. Her hearing might be helped by a hearing aid. If she has limited movement or is slow to react, an occupational therapist or a qualified driving rehabilitation therapist might recommend adaptive equipment for her vehicle.
Other limitations are more likely to lead to a discussion of giving up driving. If she takes medications that slow her reflexes, make her less alert or drowsy, or impair her functioning in any way, make an appointment with her doctor so that she can discuss these effects in regard to her driving. If her vision is not corrected with lenses, as in the case of macular degeneration or another degenerative eye disease, have her evaluated by an opthalmologist. If your relative is suffering from dementia or any mental impairment, curtail her driving and see a doctor.
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