Did you know that more than 600,000 people age 70 or older
stop driving each year, usually around age 85? Age alone
does not determine one’s ability to drive safely.
Still, the conditions that accompany aging can affect our
ability to drive.
We should be aware of signs that indicate that our driving
abilities are changing. These changes are often gradual
and may be difficult to recognize. At any age, it is important
to periodically reassess your driving performance.
Assessing Your Driving Skills
Answer the following questions for a quick, initial assessment
of your driving performance.
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Do you sometimes or frequently:
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Neglect to buckle up?
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Have difficulty working the pedals?
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Have difficulty merging onto freeways,
or turning onto busy streets?
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Have trouble seeing other vehicles,
cyclists or pedestrians, especially at night?
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Ignore or miss stop signs and other
traffic signals?
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React slowly to sirens and flashing
lights of emergency vehicles?
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Weave, straddle lanes, drift into other
lanes or change lanes without signaling?
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Get lost or disoriented easily, even
in familiar places?
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Have near misses or collisions or get
more traffic tickets?
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Take new medications or over-the-counter
medicines that may affect your driving?
Knowing these signs and compensating for changes in your
driving performance will help you drive as safely as possible
for as long as possible. The real issues are how to stay
mobile, connected to the community, and find the alternative
transportation options available to you in your community.
Dept. of Health & Human Services
