Question

Elderly drivers and their health are a huge controversial topic amongst the aging population.  

Provide 3 examples of how and why elderly drivers is a huge controversy. Explain fully on the three examples. Number the examples and explain as described below.

1. Tell what you feel the problems are with the elderly drivers.
2. Explain how and why they may be considered to be a hazard
3. Do they have disabilities or limitations?
4. How can they face mortality or cause harm to others?
5. How can these situations be resolved?

Answer 1

1. Stiff Joints and Muscles

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect your ability to drive. These changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely.

Safe driving tips:

• See your doctor if pain, stiffness, or arthritis seem to get in the way of your driving.
• If possible, drive a car with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and large mirrors.
• Be physically active or exercise to keep and even improve your strength and flexibility.
• Think about getting hand controls for both the gas and brake pedals if you have leg problems.

2. Trouble Seeing

Your eyesight can change as you get older. It might be harder to see people, things, and movement outside your direct line of sight. It may take longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or street lights can be a problem. Depending on the time of the day, the sun might be blinding.

Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems.

Safe driving tips:

• If you are 65 or older, see your eye doctor every year. Ask if there are ways to improve your eyesight.
• If you need glasses or contact lenses to see far away while driving, make sure your prescription is up-to-date and correct. Always wear them when you are driving.
• Cut back on or stop driving at night if you have trouble seeing in the dark. Try to avoid driving during sunrise and sunset, when the sun can be directly in your line of vision.

3. Trouble Hearing

As you get older, your hearing can change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or even noises coming from your own car. Hearing loss can be a problem because these sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way.

Safe driving tips:

• Have your hearing checked at least every 3 years after age 50.
• Discuss concerns you have about hearing with your doctor. There may be things that can help.
• Try to keep the inside of the car as quiet as possible while driving.

4. Dementia and Driving

In the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they need to stop.

People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems. Family and friends need to monitor the person's driving ability and take action as soon as they observe a potential problem, such as forgetting how to find familiar places like the grocery store or even their home. Work with the doctor to let the person know it's no longer safe to keep driving.

5. Slower Reaction Time and Reflexes

As you get older, your reflexes might get slower, and you might not react as quickly as you could in the past. You might find that you have a shorter attention span, making it harder to do two things at once. Stiff joints or weak muscles also can make it harder to move quickly. Loss of feeling or tingling in your fingers and feet can make it difficult to steer or use the foot pedals. Parkinson's disease or limitations following a stroke can make it no longer safe to drive.

Safe driving tips:

• Leave more space between you and the car in front of you.
• Start braking early when you need to stop.
• Avoid heavy traffic areas or rush-hour driving when you can.
• If you must drive on a fast-moving highway, drive in the right-hand lane. Traffic moves more slowly there, giving you more time to make safe driving decisions.

6. Medications Can Affect Driving

Do you take any medicines that make you feel drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than usual? Do medicines you take have a warning about driving? Many medications have side effects that can make driving unsafe. Pay attention to how these drugs may affect your driving.

Safe driving tips:

• Read medicine labels carefully. Look for any warnings.
• Make a list of all of your medicines, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how they can affect your driving.
• Don't drive if you feel lightheaded or drowsy.

Be a Safe Driver

Maybe you already know that driving at night, on the highway, or in bad weather is a problem for you. Some older drivers also have problems when yielding the right of way, turning (especially making left turns), changing lanes, passing, and using expressway ramps.

Safe driving tips:

• Have your driving skills checked by a driving rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, or other trained professional.
• Take a defensive driving course. Some car insurance companies may lower your bill when you pass this type of class. Organizations like AARP, American Automobile Association (AAA), or your car insurance company can help you find a class near you.
• When in doubt, don't go out. Bad weather like rain, ice, or snow can make it hard for anyone to drive. Try to wait until the weather is better, or use buses, taxis, or other transportation services.
• Avoid areas where driving can be a problem. For example, choose a route that avoids highways or other high-speed roadways. Or, find a way to go that requires few or no left turns.
• Ask your doctor if any of your health problems or medications might make it unsafe for you to drive. Together, you can make a plan to help you keep driving and decide when it is no longer safe to drive.