The Older Driver
Information
Today’s seniors are living longer, healthier, are more apt to travel, demanding services and independence. As the population continues to age, older drivers apparent over-involvement in crashes encourages considerable interest in what research and interventions are needed to improve the safety of older drivers.
As a general rule, older drivers are safe drivers who recognise their own limitations and impose self restrictions on their driving. Such examples are avoiding driving at peak times, avoiding night driving, using unfamiliar routes, driving in bad weather, avoiding long journeys, avoiding driving through busy complicated junctions, etc.
The loss of driving privilege affects a person’s sense of integrity, confidence and independence. Independence and mobility are essential to maintaining quality of life. Costs to society to provide care for seniors who lose their mobility rise dramatically. We need to be proactive in helping today’s seniors make safer mobility decisions and maintain their mobility as long as possible.
We each need to be aware that we are getting older and this whole process of ageing has implications for driving/ road safety. Older age does not necessarily cause accidents. However many older adults may take medication and have conditions that increase the risk of unsafe driving. A carer or driver should discuss their concerns with their general practitioner, occupational therapist or other health specialist. A thorough vision, medical and medication review should be conducted. This may provide evidence of treatable conditions that may contribute to driving difficulties. Where applicable, a driving refresher course or rehabilitation course, automatic transmission and / or suitable driving aids recommended could provide safer options to drivers.
Some age related conditions may be a factor in unsafe driving such as, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc. A strategic approach put in place identifying “increased risk category drivers”, followed by a multidisciplinary team with a multi-tiered assessment procedure ( e.g. physical range of movement and strengths, vision, medication review, cognitive/perceptual screening, psychological tests, static simulator tests where available), and an on-road driving ability assessment would provide a most comprehensive, objective procedure.
The on-road driving ability assessment begins with an informal chat gathering necessary history and facts. Followed by physical range of movements and strengths to ascertain any adaptations and/or specific vehicle. Visual acuity and peripheral fields of vision are checked. And finally the on-road drive consisting of sixty to ninety minutes beginning with familiar regular routes, and if applicable more advanced roads may be used. Cognitive/perceptual deficits observed include memory pertaining to driving, co-ordination and sequencing, speed of processing, spatial awareness, attention, perception of environment, anticipation and reaction to other road users, behaviour, topographical orientation, judgment of speed and distances, fatigue, to mention a few.
For further information go to Assessments
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Older Driver Refresher Courses
The older driver refresher courses are designed for the older person who has not driven for a period of time and wishes to restore confidence, for those who wish to expand on their own driving routes, or wish to increase their driving skills to meet the demands of today’s modern infrastructure. These courses may also be recommended/requested to provide a driver with a driving plan that makes recommendations on suitable routes and a strategic plan tailored to one’s specific needs. Many would argue that these courses should be obligatory for all drivers in this day of increasing traffic volumes, speeds, and changing network of roadways.
As part of the refresher course an assessment is also carried out to establish if any assistive technology, or automatic transmission might provide a driver with a more convenient, comfortable, way of driving. A few examples include extra wide view mirrors, swivel seats, seat modifications, seat belt extensions to name a few.
For further information see Driving Courses
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Warning Signs For Drivers
The following is a list of warning signs a carer, driver or family member may notice if there is a concern for an individuals driving.
Be vigilant in your observations and decisions and do not over react to common driving errors. Do not mistake these warning signs for an individuals habitual style of driving. Note if there is a change in frequency or severity of these warning signs, and if so do not neglect any deterioration.
Be discrete in your observations as driving errors will increase if one is feeling under scrutiny.
INCORRECT SIGNALING (Signaling left when turning right, or signaling right when turning left, failing to use indicator, or forgetting to switch off after use ).
CONFUSION BETWEEN WIPERS AND INDICATORS:
MOVING INTO INCORRECT LANES:
CONFUSED AS TO WHICH LANE TO USE ON FAMILIAR ROUTES.
PARKING INAPPROPRIATELY:
BUMPING KERBS:
SCRAPES OR DENTS ON CAR, EXTERIOR MIRRORS DAMAGED:
NEAR MISSES:
CAR ACCIDENT:
GETTING LOST IN FAMILIAR PLACES:
CONFUSION BETWEEN ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE:
DRIVING AT INAPPROPRIATE SPEEDS:
(Either too fast or too slow for traffic or road situations)
DELAYED REACTION TO TRAFFIC/ROAD CONDITIONS:
CONFUSION AT ROUNDABOUTS:
(stopping and giving right of way to vehicles on left or delayed moving off despite no vehicles approaching)
CONFUSION AT JUNCTIONS:
(delayed moving off despite no vehicles approaching or giving right of way to vehicles on minor road)
INCORRECT USE OF CLUTCH:
(gears grating or engine cuts out moving off)
INCORRECT USE OF GEARS:
(changing incorrectly 2nd to 5th , 5th to 2nd ,5th to reverse, moving off in 3rd ,changing for no reason)
BEHAVIOUR:
(impulsive and not prepared to wait at junctions, roundabouts or red traffic lights. Aggressive towards other road users)
ATTENTION:
(unable to activate secondary controls, windows, check mirrors without causing steering to lose course. Unable to attend to driving task because of off road distractions, mobile phone, radio etc.)
SPATIAL AWARENESS:
( unable to judge distances between parked and oncoming vehicles, turning left too wide, turning right on incorrect side of road, traveling on incorrect side of road on bends and corners)
STOPPING IN TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON:
USE OF HANDBRAKE / PARK BRAKE:
( Failing to secure handbrake when parked, applying handbrake unnecessarily while on the move, rolling back on hills and forgetting to use handbrake)
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