Expert Q & A
When Should Grandpa Stop Driving?
Jun 08, 2012 09:37AM
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Question: How do I know when my grandfather should stop driving?
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Older Driver Expert, Beth Tracton-Bishop
Answer:
It’s not easy to know if an older family member may need to stop driving. Many drivers as they age can be relatively safe; however, others, especially those facing particular medical conditions, may need to transition to being a passenger. One of the most important things you can do is to do your homework. You need to find out if your grandfather is safe behind the wheel or not.
Start by observing your grandfather's driving. Get into the passenger seat to get a bird’s eye view of his driving. Are there any warning signs of unsafe driving? Making a single minor driving mistake doesn’t mean that a person needs to stop driving. What you need to do is look for patterns of warning signs and for an increase in frequency and severity of the warning signs. You can use our Warning Signs Worksheet to guide your observations. Driving behavior warning signs vary from fairly minor warning signs, like vehicle dents and scrapes that weren’t there before, to more serious warning signs, like trouble making left-hand turns. Some of the less serious issues may be overcome with changes in driving behavior or physical fitness, while the more serious behaviors may require immediate action.
If you’re worried, you should find out if your concerns are valid. Learn the warning signs, get in the car and observe the older driver. If you are still uncertain of your grandfather’s driving safety, your grandfather could have a comprehensive driving evaluation by an occupational therapist. Specially trained occupational therapists can assess your grandfather’s driving and make recommendations about his safety on the road. Once you get the facts and educate yourself about the resources available, you will be in a better position to help.
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Beth Tracton-Bishop, PhD is a gerontologist with The Hartford Advance 50 Team and an expert on aging, housing, and driver safety. She is also the blogger for the For A Lifetime blog, an award winning, lively discussion about what we can all do - at any age - to stay safe on the road and at home. Visit her blog at: www.thehartford.com/lifetimeblog.
For more information, go to http://hartfordauto.thehartford.com/Safe-Driving/Expertise-On-Getting-Older/
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