The week of Dec. 5-9 is national Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Most of us think of ourselves as excellent drivers. But as we age, our ability to drive safely can slowly fade away. As they reach their 60s, 70s or 80s, even the most conscientious driver can cause a terrible car accident.
If you are a senior with a driver’s license or someone in your life is, this might be a good time to decide if it’s time to give up the keys. Here are five signs that an older Scranton resident is no longer able to drive safely:
- A friend or relative expresses concern about the senior’s driving or points out new dents or dings in their car
- The senior has started getting lost on once-familiar routes
- They have started getting many more tickets, car accidents or close calls recently than they used to
- A police officer has recently pulled them over and warned them about their driving performance, even if the officer did not issue a citation
- The senior’s doctor has advised them to use other modes of transportation
It is not an easy decision to give up driving. In this country, most of us equate driving with our independence and ability to take care of our own needs. But finding a safer way to get around is a small price to pay to prevent a terrible car crash.
From the victim’s perspective, an elderly person who chose to drive despite limited vision or poor reflexes has negligently caused the wreck. You can be left with a lifetime of disability or lose a loved one to a needless tragedy.