Seven Steps to Help Someone Retire From Driving

"We Need to Talk" are words no child or parent wants to say, let alone hear. Retiring from driving can be a difficult decision, especially if there are not many other transportation options. Many of us know someone who should limit their driving or stop driving altogether. Here are some tips to help someone retire from driving. I get ideas like this from the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) and The Hartford (see links at the bottom of this post before attempting to help a senior driver).

1. Do an assessment. Observe the person's driving. Problems may be related to reflexes, vision, flexibility, visual attention, and overall physical health.

2. Determine if the problem can be corrected. Medical treatment, driver safety training, and physical training programs can help extend a driver's ability to drive safely into one's golden years. Sometimes a physician may be the best judge of driving fitness and the proper course of action. The Veteran's Administration may have resources for veterans who qualify.

3. Can the vehicle be modified to help? Vehicles now have many more devices to help drivers perform safely. Pedal extenders, panoramic mirrors, seat lifts and safety belt extenders are just a few ways to make the car and driver fit better. Newer cars come with back-up cameras or sensors to avoid collisions when backing. Anti-lock brakes help drivers retain steering control while braking.

4. Start the conversation early and praise progress. Congratulate a driver for limiting driving at night or in bad weather. Express concerns about accidents, near misses, and health changes. Monitor medications and their effects, especially those that suggest not operating a motor vehicle. Suggest the driver avoid interstate highways and only stay on local, familiar roads.

5. When the time comes to take action, persuade the driver to stop. The spouse is the best person to deliver the message, followed by a child, a physician, or another specialist. Make a direct appeal that the high-risk driver stop before someone gets injured or killed.

6. Discuss transportation options. The Hartford has terrific worksheets on driver assessments and transportation costs. If someone does not drive a lot, it may actually be less expensive to use alternative transportation. Buses, taxis, shuttles, and ride-sharing are great ways to get around. It may be fun to let someone else do the driving. Have someone ride with the person for a few trips until he or she builds confidence with that form of transportation.

7. You can also refer the driver to take the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) at www.AARP.org/driver. DSP is only $14 and helps update the driver's skills in a very understanding manner, focused on senior drivers. DSP's goal is to keep drivers on the road as long as they can safely and comfortably meet the requirements of driving. DSP gives several self assessments for driving knowledge, a reflex drill, and a self assessment for driving fitness that may guide the driver to a more formal assessment.

In summary, you can make a difference in the lives of others by speaking up and helping out during the transition. This may require some valuable time for a while but should allow you to sleep better knowing you helped.

Before starting, please visit www.TheHartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers to get the latest details and some of the best advice on this subject. Best of success!

Ask senior drivers to visit this website for ongoing safety tips.

This is Rob G asking all of you to Drive Like Me.

90% of Drivers Consider Themselves Above Average! Take the Quiz.

Several studies have show that over 90% of drivers surveyed in the United States and Sweden consider themselves to be above average drivers**. My observations indicate the percentage to be even higher. Very few people consider themselves to be below average drivers for safety or ability. Frequently, passengers would rate the drivers much differently than the drivers rate themselves.



Maybe the survey should be broken down differently. Consider individual ratings (10 being the best and 1 being very poor) for important factors like:

• Hours of formal driver education training


• Knowledge of driving rules


• Knowledge of safety tips


• Compliance with road rules and safety tips


• Experience on the road (hours of driving and variety of experience)


• Vision


• Hearing


• Reflex speed (how long from the time you recognize a hazard until you react)


• Avoiding distractions from loud radios, cell phones, eating, drinking, etc.


• Distractions from passengers (spouse, friends, children, etc.)


• Taking medications


• Alcohol avoidance


• Anger versus calm


• Knowledge of your vehicle


• Vehicle safety


• Do you always plan your route before leaving?


• Do you always drive like there is a police officer behind you?


• And so on...

When one understands the complexity of driving, one may change his or her rating. Each of us can update our skills on a regular basis by taking inexpensive courses. Here is a quick quiz to see if you need an update:

1. Do you know and practice the "three-second" rule for following distance?
   
2. Do you know how to activate the lane-changing turn signal? Hint, it is not the same as the "full turn signal."
   
3. Do you know how to avoid bad drivers? Hint, it has to do with when you leave for your destination.
   
4. Do you know when to activate your turn signal for optimum safety?
   
5. Do you know what to do if your accelerator sticks or you lose your brakes?
   

If you are not certain about any of these answers, please consider taking additional driver training. One source of driver training is through the non-profit branch of AARP at www.AARP.org/driver. The class is about $14 and will help drivers of all ages. Drivers over 50 may have the added benefit of a discount on their auto insurance for the following three years. Not a bad investment.


Ask others to take the quiz and have them join you in a class. You will have fun and learn a lot.


This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.


** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiority#cite_note-hoorens-0