April 10, 2008

TOO OLD TO DRIVE?

   How do you approach a family member when age-related changes affect driving ability?
   Elinor Ginzler of AARP, an authority on older driver safety, encourages families to talk openly with loved ones about safe driving practices.
   These are her top 10 indicators that it’s time to talk about limiting driving or handing over the keys:
   -- Frequent “close calls” or near accidents.
   -- Dents or scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs etc.
   -- Trouble judging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps.
   -- Other drivers honking at you.
   -- Getting lost.
   -- Difficulty seeing the sides of the road when looking straight ahead.
   -- Slower response time; trouble moving foot from gas to brake pedal or confusing the two pedals.
   -- Getting distracted easily or having trouble concentrating.
   -- Difficulty turning your head to check over shoulder while backing up or changing lanes.
   -- Traffic tickets or warnings by traffic or law enforcement officers in the last year or two. (CNS)