Determining Driving Safety in Seniors

Persons over the age of 65 years are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population. This has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of older persons holding driver's licenses.? Compared to other age groups, those over 65 years of age have one of the highest motor vehicle crash rates per mile driven. The reason for this increased risk is not due to age in itself, but to the increasing prevalence of health conditions that can affect driving ability, including:

1. visual impairment
2. seizures
3. fainting spells
4. diabetes
5. arthritis
6. sleep apnea
7. heart conditions
8. stroke or brain injury
9. cognitive difficulties (such as Alzheimers and other dementing illnesses)
10. psychiatric conditions
11. Parkinson's and similar conditions

Balanced against this increased risk is the fact that driving is often imperative for independent mobility, especially in rural communities. The ability to drive is also an expression of autonomy and independence, and contributes to many important aspects of quality-of-life including sense of well being and maintenance of family and social ties. The ability to drive a car allows personal freedom that is not available with any other form of transportation. However, despite this, safety issues remain paramount.

Determining whether you or a family member is safe to continue driving can be an emotionally charged decision. As stated above, it is seniors who have developed medical conditions that may impact on their driving ability that require assessment. If you or your family member (at any age) have recently developed any of the above, consultation with your physician is appropriate.

With respect to the development of cognitive issues and the ability to drive, here are some questions that could be asked:

To the older driver

1. Have you noticed a change in your driving skills?
2. Do other honk or show signs of irritation?
3. Have you lost confidence in your driving ability, leading you to drive less often?
4. Have you ever become lost when driving?
5. Have you ever forgotten where you are going?
6. Do you think at present you are a safe driver?
7. Have you had any car accidents in the past year?
8. Any minor fender benders with other cars in parking lots?
9. Have you had any recent traffic tickets?
10. Have others criticized your driving or refused to drive with you?

To the family

1. Do you feel uncomfortable driving with the older driver?
2. Have you noticed any abnormal or unsafe driving behaviour?
3. Has the older driver had any recent crashes?
4. Has the older driver had any near-misses that can be attributed to mental or physical decline?
5. Has the driver received any recent traffic tickets?
6. Are other drivers forced to drive defensively to accommodate the older driver's errors in judgment?
7. Have there been times when the older driver has become lost or experienced navigational confusion?
8. Does the driver require many cues or directions from passengers?
9. Does the driver need a co-pilot to alert them of potentially dangerous situations?
10. Have others commented on the person's unsafe driving.

If there are Yes responses to a few of the above questions, then assessment from their physician is appropriate.

Watch this video - Knowing When to Stop Driving. The Importance of Assessment

For more information about senior driver issues, please check these websites:

Not If but When - Helping Drivers with Dementia Hang up the Keys

www.cca.ca/helpingdrivers

www.seniordrivers.org

www.driver-ed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=110

www.safety-council.org

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