If you are becoming concerned about your ability to drive a vehicle, information developed by various aging and traffic safety groups may help you determine whether you need to have a more formal evaluation of your driving abilities.
The AAA Roadwise Review is an interactive CD-ROM that helps you identify potential aging-related driving issues, identify steps to reduce risk and monitor your driving health in private.
Each Roadwise Review CD is $7 for AAA members, $10 for non-members and free to senior centers. To purchase a copy of the CD call 1-800-922-8228 or go to www.csaa.com.
The University of Michigan developed a 47-page workbook to help older drivers evaluate their ability to drive safely. This workbook is available online at www.umtri.umich.edu/library/pdf/2000-14.pdf.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Brochures
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed a series of pamphlets that address older adults’ ability to drive safely. These include “Safe Driving for Older Adults” and pamphlets dealing specifically with driving when you have had a stroke or have various conditions, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, diabetes or seizures.
Brochures can be ordered by calling the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 or can be viewed online. Go to at www.nhtsa.dot.gov click on "Traffic Safety" and then on "Older Drivers."
Proper adjustment of seats, mirrors, headrests and the steering wheel can help keep you driving safely. A variety of simple devices can be added to help compensate for physical changes or simply to make the vehicle fit you more comfortably and safely. The American Society on Aging, the American Automobile Association and AARP have developed a program called CarFit, Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Perfect Fit. For more information visit www.car-fit.org.
The Hartford insurance company and the MIT AgeLab have developed a guide to help families initiate productive and caring conversations with older adults about driving safety. A 24-page free brochure called “We need to talk...Family conversations with older drivers” is available from The Hartford, We Need to Talk, 200 Executive Boulevard, Southington, CT 06489. The information is also available at www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers/.
The Department of Motor Vehicles does not take away your driver’s license when you reach a certain age. Your mental and/or physical condition or your inability to follow traffic laws and rules regardless of age determines whether your license is renewed, restricted, suspended or revoked. All customers age 70 or older must renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV office. Restrictions may be imposed relating to declining physical condition.
The number one restriction for senior drivers is vision-related and usually requires the driver to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses. Some other common restrictions are no freeway driving, no nighttime driving, no rush hour driving and driving only with proper support to ensure a proper driving position.
You can get a Disabled Person (DP) placard or license plates if you have impaired mobility and a licensed physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife certifies your condition.
The DP placard and plates entitle you to park your vehicle in handicap parking spaces, a blue or green curb, on street metered parking spaces at no charge and areas that require residential or merchant permits. You do not have to own or drive the vehicle to use the DP placard.
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