When should you hang up your keys?
During this past summer I had the chance to play baseball in an “Old-timer’s” league. This was for men aged 35 and older. I’m much older than 35, but in the last inning I dove to catch a ball. I missed the ball, but I gave it the best dive I could. I ended up injuring myself and at that point I realized that I was past my prime and should not attempt to do things that I used to do quite easily. Do you know someone who may also have this problem? Maybe someone who should hang up their car keys because they can’t seem to grasp safe driving any longer?
One of the toughest jobs I have at Young Drivers of Canada is taking out senior drivers to help them pass a Government road test. At some point in their lives they were a good driver, but as time went on, they lost their edge. Their vision has decreased, their reaction time has decreased and their short term memory also has decreased. Since these are all skills we need as drivers, it became difficult for some drivers to drive safely. I worked hard to get their skills back to the level of being safe drivers; but it wasn’t happening.
I once had a senior driver who’s son had asked me to evaluate her driving. She was such a nice lady, but had the consistent problem of stopping whenever she came across a white line that crossed her path. This would mean any crosswalk, whether the light was green or red. There was obviously some confusion and I did my best to help, but her son and I realized improvement wasn’t going to happen. He contacted her doctor and asked that they take her license from her. After some medical tests were completed, they agreed.
That’s another occupation with the unenviable job of giving out bad news to drivers; the medical field. They are obligated by law to take the license from the driver if their health will put their driving at risk. Since most drivers feel their license is a way of life and mobility, some doctors won’t do it. What about the risk to society or the community if this driver crashed and was injured or killed? We can only say so much as friends and family, but if the doctor says you’re not medically fit to drive, then that’s it; party over.
My grandfather decided many years ago that he didn’t want to drive. His eyesight was getting worse and he felt very uncomfortable. He voluntarily gave up his license and sold his car. For the rest of his life he took public transportation and got rides from friends and relatives. This allowed him to relax and enjoy life once again. It was a good choice for him.
So now you have to decide; should you or a loved one continue driving and risk the health of the driver, passengers and other road users. Or should it be time to make alternative plans for getting around. You need to make this choice soon, either for yourself or for the person you care about.
I am amazed sometimes at the elderly drivers I see on the roads. Many of them are swerving or going 10-15 km below the speed limit. I actually know of a friends dad that has lost 60% of his sight but still drives!!!!
Then again there are some 20 year olds that are a bigger risk because of dangerous driving habits….
As family members, we have to stay on top of their driving ability. We need to support them, but also let them know that help is needed. Thanks for your comment.
I own a car service in Toronto and we have seen an increase in children that are looking for alternative methods of transportation for elderly parents. In many cases, public transportation is not a comfortable solution.
Thank you for posting. Something to think about with our aging population.
Thank you for the comment and the support.
This is why we need to have biannual or annual driver retesting beginning at age 70. Can’t pass? Sorry, no licence. This, to me, would be much, much better than putting health care providers and family members into the position of the Driving Police.
The focus of healthcare professionals, as a result of their role in the driving regulatory system, and the safety-critical nature of driving, often centers around the question of when older drivers should quit. But that should be only the beginning; professionals, especially geriatric psychiatrists must approach driving retirement as a late-life developmental crisis and possible family crisis. Older patients need help coping and adjusting once the keys have been taken away, and this may be just as important to their emotional safety.
Interesting comments. Over ten years later the argument on both sides continues. Full disclosure like Scott licensed driving instructor, have worked with MANY senior drivers. Also have experience working in the government senior driving program. Here’s the facts. If a police officer sees anyone driving in a fashion that raises concern for them they can refer the driver for a full G drivers test. If a doctor has concerns about a patients ability to operate a vehicle safely, then BY LAW they must do something about it. They have two choices report them to the ministries medical review department or refer them to a government approved driving assessment centre. The government will be looking for a report that specifically says they are OK. Why don’t we just test them all at 50, 60 70 or 80? Simple first there is not any infrastructure to support it and most don’t need it. Most seniors “most” will not drive to take chances. They listen when explained situations to them and not one of them want to hurt anyone. What is needed honestly is driving assistance to them as an extension to what they get now after 80. When we have trouble housing many your problems will multiply exponentially if you take their license away. How do they get the daily things they need. I would rather see more family members doing more for their parents instead of arguing were picking on them. Its easy to see how ones physical issues will affect our reaction time and by default our driving. There are ways to help but no one does it because there is no money in it. And so those are the facts. :-))
I was involved in a hit and run years ago where the driver came through a red light, made a right turn and then entered the outside lane, which I was in. I was able to stop but he still sideswiped me but there was minor damage. Luckily I got his plate number. When the police tracked him down, he turned out to be 96 years old! He argued that even though I had the green light, he was also convinced that he had the green light! The police officer forced him to get a medical, and the Officer told me he would never be medically fit to get his license back. The Officer said that he should have stopped driving many years before.
Vince Klortho – as a 70+ driver myself and still constantly driving, I have no doubt about my ability to pass and excel in any driving exam. Can you do that? If a senior still has full use of all his faculties, he/she may also have a million plus miles of experience behind them. My experience has shown me many 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 year old drivers who should not be on the road and who could never pass a driving exam.