As people get older, it becomes more common to develop hearing, vision, and physical limitations which can affect one’s ability to drive, and this can impact safety both for the driver and for other road users.
MotorHappy has provided a series of recommendations to help determine whether it’s time for a relative to stop driving.
“Observing a loved one’s driving and watching for warning signs of risky driving is an important first step in deciding whether it’s time to talk to them about surrendering their keys and driving license,” said Barend Smit, MotorHappy marketing director.
Safe driving age
Certain countries around the world decrease the period that a driver’s licence is valid once people reach a certain age, with one example, Portugal, lowering the valid duration from five years to two years once a citizen reaches the age of 70.
They are also no longer permitted to drive mass transport vehicles, such as a school bus, once they reach this age.
Other European countries require seniors to undergo a fitness exam every three years, however, in South Africa there is no such legislation preventing older people from driving, said Smit.
“Driving competence is more than just being able to control a car physically,” he said.
“Safe driving requires a combination of physical and cognitive ability and driving skills, and proper driving conduct.”
One sign to look out for is whether an elderly relative starts getting lost on car journeys, even on routes that they frequent, as this can be an indication of cognitive decline.
They may also fail to stop at red lights and stop signs, which is attributed to mental fatigue which is preventing them from recognizing these markers.
Other behaviours to watch for include struggling to follow or stay in the lanes, driving too fast or too slow, and having difficulties with judging distances.
“If you notice that your loved one is exhibiting some of these warning signals, it’s essential to talk to them, keeping in mind that this might be a complicated and stressful topic,” said Smit.
If and when the time comes to discuss this topic with an elderly relative, it is recommended to talk to them one-on-one, focus the discussion around road safety, and be supportive.
It’s also advised that you propose alternate transport solutions, as taking away one’s driving licence and keys can be seen as a loss of independence, which can make people more reluctant to agree.
Keyword: Early warning signs that a relative is getting too old to drive