How do you know when to tell your elderly parent or grandparent that it's time to give up the car keys?
Many states don't require any additional testing as drivers age, but experts said as we get older, we need to adjust our driving habits. A driving instructor shared some tips to make it easier for seniors behind the wheel.
Paul Oncale is an AARP safe driving instructor. He said he's also a senior citizen himself and understands the physical changes that take place as one ages.
"So you don't see as well. Peripheral vision, you lose some of that," said Oncale. "Also the hearing aspect of it. Not only are cars quieter these days, but their hearing is not as good."
Oncale said reaction time also slows with age. AARP suggests seniors give enough cushion between themselves and other drivers to allow them the extra reaction time they may need. Seniors who have trouble hearing should limit noise by turning off the radio and not talking on the cell phone or to passengers. AARP suggests that instead of focusing only on what's ahead, drivers should scan traffic continuously and get rid of blind spots using side mirrors.
"We talk about intersections because that's the most dangerous place. Failing to yield and left-hand turns are two of the most dangerous aspects for seniors. So we try have them develop a stop, look and listen at intersections," said Oncale.
AARP has come up with a series of questions to help determine when it's time for a senior citizen to stop driving as well as advice for how to have that difficult conversation with a loved one.
"We talk about how that person will talk to the grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle that needs to maybe stop driving," said Oncale. "We try to caution them in trying to do it. Maybe getting someone unattached from the family but close enough so they know what's going on. But not being a relative, because we don't want to start a war and that does happen."
Oncale said it helps to offer transportation alternatives to seniors when asking to give up driving, like public or senior transportation.
AARP statistics show seniors don't necessarily have more accidents than younger people, but they are less likely to heal from injuries.
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