Wiregrass Seniors Magazine March 2018 APRIL ISSUE | Page 13

WiregrassSeniorsMagazine.com
Older Drivers: Tips for Staying Safe
Page 13
Driving can sometimes be challenging for older adults.
Follow these safety tips, from taking good care of
yourself to planning ahead and updating your skills.
Driver safety requires more than understanding road
signs and traffic laws. As you get older, you'll likely
notice physical changes that can make certain ac-
tions — such as turning your head to look for
oncoming traffic or braking safely — more challeng-
ing. Still, older drivers can remain safe on the road.
Consider seven tips for older drivers.
1. Stay physically active
Staying physically active improves your strength and
flexibility. In turn, physical activity can improve driver
safety by making it easier to turn the steering wheel,
look over your shoulder, and make other movements
while driving and parking.
Look for ways to include physical activity in your daily
routine. Walking is a great choice for many people.
Stretching and strength training exercises are helpful
for older drivers, too. If you've been sedentary, get your
doctor's OK before increasing your activity level.
2. Schedule regular vision and hearing tests
Some senses, such as hearing and vision, tend to
decline with age. Impaired hearing can be a concern
for older drivers by limiting the ability to hear an ap-
proaching emergency vehicle or train. Common age-
related vision problems — such as cataracts, glau-
coma and macular degeneration — also can make it
difficult to see clearly or drive at night.
Ask your doctor how often to schedule vision and hear-
ing tests. Even if you think your hearing and vision are
fine, stick to your doctor's recommended exam sched-
ule. Problems might be easier to correct if caught
early, and specialists can recommend timely adjust-
ments to reduce your risk of an accident.
For example, an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthal-
mologist) might recommend driving only during day-
light hours.
3. Manage any chronic conditions
Work with your doctor to manage any chronic condi-
tions — especially those that might impact driver
safety, such as diabetes or seizures. Follow your
doctor's instructions for managing your condition
and staying safe behind the wheel. This might in-
clude adjusting your treatment plan or restricting your
driving.
It's equally important to know your medications. Many
drugs, including pain medications, sleep medica-
tions, antihistamines and muscle relaxants, can af-
fect driver safety, even when you're feeling fine. Read
your medication labels so that you know what to ex-
pect from each one.
Don't drive if you've taken medication that causes
drowsiness or dizziness. If you're concerned about
side effects or the impact on driver safety, consult
your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Understand your limitations
Consider your physical limitations and make any nec-
essary adjustments. For example, if your hands hurt
when gripping the steering wheel, use a steering
wheel cover that makes holding and turning the
wheel more comfortable.
You might ask your doctor for a referral to an occu-
pational therapist, who can offer assistive devices
to help you drive or suggest exercises to help you
overcome your limitations.
You might also adjust your vehicle or choose a dif-
ferent vehicle to better meet your needs. For ex-
ample, vehicles that feature larger, easier-to-read
dials on the dashboard are often popular with older
drivers.
In addition, some newer models offer safety features
that can help you avoid collisions, change lanes
safely, manage your blind spot, and more.
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