Talking to seniors about driving safety should be done with care. Driving is a symbol of independence. It allows us to see friends and family, go to social events, get to appointments, and so much more. Therefore, there is a clear sense of loss when we become too old to drive. Over 41 million drivers over age 65 are on the roads. In 2016 alone, approximately 290,000 elderly drivers were sent to emergency rooms due to car crashes. Yet there are also arguments from experts saying that seniors who retire from driving can risk their well-being and quality of life.
This CBS News article discusses this sensitive topic. 86 year old Joan Mastrianni has been driving around New York since she was in her early twenties. While she currently only takes small car trips to run errands, her children are very concerned, wondering if they should lock the keys away. This scenario is so common for adult children and their parents. As Joan’s daughter states, “You don’t want to wait until an accident happens to make that mistake. You want to be able to make that decision on your own”.
Often times, elderly parents argue that they are not driving too far. They can’t imagine their lives without the independence to go to the library, church, or grocery store. When we get our driver’s license, it is a major sign of entering adulthood. Therefore, you can see why many older adults feel the opposite of this when their ability to drive is in jeopardy.
Deciding to talk to your parents about giving up the keys is a personal matter. Checking if medical conditions are present is crucial. These will of course impact one’s ability to drive. But even smaller things like traffic tickets or anxiety about driving at night can be red flags for their safety. It would be helpful to include your parent’s physician in this conversation and decision.
The important part is reminding them that their life is not over when they put the car in park for good. While we all love the idea of wanting to do something and going out to do it, there are always alternatives. These could be a paid caregiver, neighbor, or even services like Uber or Lyft are available in almost every city. Weigh the pros and cons of how it will impact their life. But always keep safety the number one priority.