Certain activities become more challenging when you get older, and driving is no exception. While maintaining independence is crucial, it’s also important to recognize when it might be safer to hand over the keys. Here are 19 indications that it might be time for boomers to consider giving up driving altogether.
Frequent Close Calls
Forbes notes that “the oldest drivers losing their abilities are the most likely to be involved in crashes;” frequent close calls are often a clear indicator that your driving skills may not be what they used to be. If you notice that you’re regularly having near-accidents, brushing up against curbs, or narrowly avoiding collisions, it’s a sign.
Getting Lost on Familiar Routes
Getting lost on routes you’ve traveled for years can be both confusing and frightening. If you find yourself struggling to remember directions to familiar places or getting disoriented in areas you know well, it might be time to consider whether driving is still safe for you.
Difficulty with Vision
Vision changes are a common part of aging, but they can have a significant impact on your driving ability; so if you struggle to see clearly, particularly at night, or if you have trouble with glare from headlights or the sun, it can affect your ability to judge distances. Regular eye exams are essential to monitor and address these issues.
Trouble Hearing Sirens and Horns
Another critical sense for safe driving is hearing; if you find it hard to hear sirens, horns, or other important sounds, it can put you at risk. These sounds often serve as warnings or signals of immediate danger, such as an approaching emergency vehicle or a car honking to avoid a collision.
Slow Reaction Times
As we age, our reaction time naturally slow down, and this can be a significant concern when driving. If you find that you’re taking longer to respond to sudden changes in traffic, such as a car braking unexpectedly or a pedestrian stepping into the road, it’s a clear sign that your driving abilities may be declining.
Struggling to Manage Traffic Signs and Signals
Driving requires constant attention to traffic signs, signals, and road markings, all of which provide critical information about how to navigate safely. Frequently missing or misinterpreting these signs could be an indication that your cognitive abilities are not as sharp as they once were.
Increased Stress and Anxiety
Driving should not be a source of significant stress or anxiety. If you find yourself feeling extremely anxious or stressed at the thought of driving, or if you experience high levels of anxiety while behind the wheel, it might be time to reconsider. This anxiety can also lead to avoidance behaviors, where you may begin to limit your driving to only the most necessary trips, isolating yourself.
Relying More on GPS
While GPS systems are incredibly useful tools, an increasing reliance on them for even the most familiar routes can be a sign that your sense of direction is weakening, so if you find yourself unable to navigate without a GPS, it’s a problem. This over-reliance can also become problematic if the GPS malfunctions or provides incorrect directions, too.
Concerns from Friends and Family
Sometimes, the people closest to us can see changes in our behavior and abilities more clearly than we can ourselves; stay aware of if friends or family members have expressed concerns about your driving, as it’s important to take their observations seriously. They might notice things like slower reaction times, frequent close calls, or difficulties with navigation that you might not be fully aware of.
Multiple Traffic Tickets or Warnings
An increase in traffic tickets, warnings, or minor accidents is a clear sign that your driving skills may be deteriorating. These incidents are not just coincidences; they often indicate that you are having trouble adhering to the general traffic laws.
Physical Limitations
Boomers can often suffer from arthritis, decreased flexibility, or reduced strength due to age, which can significantly impact their ability to drive safely. These limitations can make it difficult to perform essential driving tasks, such as turning to check blind spots, or steering accurately.
Memory Problems
One thing you don’t want when driving is memory problems, which can be particularly dangerous, so if you find yourself forgetting important details, such as turning off the car, where you parked, or even the purpose of your trip, it could be a sign of cognitive decline often seen in boomers.
Difficulty Staying in the Lane
You shouldn’t ever be finding it hard to stay within your lane, frequently drifting, or having trouble with lane changes; these are serious indicators that driving is becoming unsafe for you. Difficulty staying in the lane can be caused by several factors, including decreased attention span, poor vision, or impaired motor skills.
Ignoring Temporary Signs
Failing to notice or obey regular traffic signs is one thing, but if you also can’t notice new, temporary signals such as road works, this can lead to accidents. Missing new or temporary traffic signs can result in running red lights, missing stop signs, or not yielding when necessary—all of which can have severe consequences.
Confusing the Pedals
Accidentally hitting the gas instead of the brake, or vice versa, can have a risky impact on other road users, as well as yourself. Particularly in situations where quick and accurate responses are needed, this could be the factor that decides your safety.
Increased Car Damage
Unexplained dents, scratches, or other damage to your car can indicate that you’re having more trouble with driving than you realize—especially if you have no memory of how they got there. These incidents can be a sign that your driving skills are declining and that you are not as aware of your surroundings as you used to be.
Difficulty with Parking
Boomers may also have a lot of struggles with parking; whether it’s parallel parking or just pulling into a space, it can indicate that your spatial awareness and control over the vehicle are deteriorating. This difficulty can lead to minor accidents, such as bumping into other cars or objects.
Overwhelmed by Traffic
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of traffic or by driving in certain conditions, such as at night or in bad weather, it might be a sign that you’re no longer comfortable or safe behind the wheel. Feeling overwhelmed can lead to increased anxiety, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making.
General Fear of Driving
A vital clue boomers should stop driving is if they’re generally afraid on the road. If driving causes you significant fear or worry, it’s a clear sign that it might be time to stop. Driving should be a manageable task, and overwhelming fear can lead to mistakes and accidents.
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