Older Drivers Safety Awareness

[ Healthy Living ] BY GEORGE VELTRI

Safety on the road is a serious The National Highway Traffic matter. Some motorists can drive Safety Administration, (NHTSA), has safely into their nineties, for others designated December 7-11 as Older medical conditions, problems with Driver Safety Awareness Week. It is a eyesight, sleep, tremors, or memory can fact of life that people grow older make driving more dangerous. every day. With increasing age come

Many older people take multiple changes in physical, mental and medications, whether prescribed or overthe-counter. Unfortunately, some of these drugs, or a combination of drugs, can impair judgement, or affect reflexes and the alertness necessary for safe driving. Older drivers, in particular, need to be aware of this fact.

There’s more than one way to be under the influence. Impaired driving is generally associated with alcohol, prescription drug abuse, or illegal drug use. However, many legally obtained and commonly used over-the-counter and prescription drugs can affect a user’s ability to drive safely. Cold and allergy medicines, antidepressants, opioids, and sleep aids can cause side effects, including drowsiness, nausea, and blurred vision, all of which can put motorists at risk. An older driver’s primary care provider or pharmacist can determine if an older driver’s medications can affect their driving.

There are many commonsense safety steps a smart defensive driver should take, including keeping windshield and headlights clean, watching for hazardous weather, and limiting digital distractions from phones and GPS units.

• Mind your medications • Get your vision and hearing tested regularly. • Sit up behind the wheel. • Be mindful that your reflexes and reaction times may be slowing down. • Take a defensive driving course. You can find safe-driving classes near you through AAA or with an AARP Smart Driver Course • Learn your car’s safety technology … but don’t rely on it. • Make a driving retirement plan.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), has designated December 7-11 as Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. It is a fact of life that people grow older every day. With increasing age come changes in physical, mental and sensory abilities that can challenge a person’s continued ability to drive safely. But there are a variety of safe travel options for people of all ages. The real need is a broader awareness of the solutions, rather than a narrow focus on the problem.