Healthy Aging: Is It Time to Stop Driving?

As you get older, your vision, reflexes, and hearing change. These changes can make it harder for you to drive safely. For example, as you age:

• Your vision gets weaker.
• Your reflexes get slower. You may not be able to brake or turn the wheel quickly if you need to.
• Weak muscles and stiff joints can make it hard to look behind you when you back up.

Of these changes, vision is the most important. Aging affects your vision in several ways:

• Light. The older you are, the more light you need to drive. To see well, a 60-year-old needs 10 times as much light as a 19-year-old. This is why it's a good idea to avoid driving at night if you can.
• Focus. How well your eyes can change focus declines as you age. Younger drivers need only about 2 seconds to adjust their focus from near to far, such as looking from the dashboard to the road ahead. Drivers over age 40 need 3 seconds or more. The older you are, the more time your eyes need.
• Colors. Colors, especially red, get harder to see as you age. Some older drivers take twice as long to see the flash of brake lights as younger drivers.
• Depth perception. As you age, your vision gets weaker. You may not have good side vision or depth perception. This makes it harder for you to judge how fast other cars are moving.

People age 70 and older are more likely to crash than any other age group besides drivers age 25 and under. And because older drivers are more fragile, they are more likely to get hurt or die from these crashes.^{footnote 1}

There's no set age when everyone should stop driving. Each person is different. But most people drive 7 to 10 years longer than they should.^{footnote 2} You might think about giving up driving if:

• Other drivers often honk at you.
• You are having accidents, even if they are only fender benders.
• You have trouble staying in your lane.
• You get lost, even on roads you know.

Here are some other warning signs that it's time to stop driving:

• You often have close calls with other drivers.
• You have trouble moving your foot between the gas and brake pedals, or you get confused between the two.
• Loved ones are worried about your driving.
• You feel scared or nervous when you drive.
• Other cars, bikes, or people seem to appear out of nowhere.
• You miss traffic signs and signals when you drive.

Even with planning, deciding to stop driving is hard. It marks the end of a stage of life. And you might be worried about how you will get around.

Here are some ways to get ready.

• Ask your family and friends for help. If asking for help is hard for you, you could offer to pay for their time or gas to take you on errands.
• Practice using public transportation. If you're thinking of taking the bus, try doing it a few times before you stop driving. This will give you an idea of when you can rely on the bus and when you might need other help getting around.
• Think about using taxis. It may sound expensive. But don't forget that it also costs a lot to own a car, buy gas, and pay for insurance and maintenance.
• Check with your local senior center about other transit options. Some areas offer low-cost bus or taxi service for older people. You can learn more about what's available in your area at www.eldercare.gov.

If you do stop driving, it's okay to keep your car for a while. You might feel better just knowing it's there. And it may be easier to ask others for help if you can offer the use of your car.

If you have weighed the pros and cons and have decided to keep driving, think about taking a driver safety course for older drivers. It will help you measure how well you can drive. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers a course. So do many hospitals and state motor vehicle departments.

Next, talk with your doctor about any health problems that could get in the way of driving safely, such as:

• Joint pain. Pain and stiffness can make it hard to turn your head or the steering wheel. A car with automatic transmission and power steering can make it easier for you to drive. Staying active and exercising can help improve your strength and flexibility.
• Vision loss. Have your eyes checked every 1 to 2 years if you are 65 or older. Or have them checked sooner if you notice a change. Make sure your eyeglass prescription is accurate.
• Hearing problems. Have your hearing checked regularly, and use a hearing aid if you need one.

To stay safe while driving:

• Avoid driving at night or in bad weather. When in doubt, don't go out.
• Drive on streets you know. Keep your headlights on at all times.
• Take roads that let you avoid risky spots such as ramps and left turns. Or try to find routes where left turns have green-arrow signals.
• Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Start braking early when you know you'll need to stop soon.
• Avoid distractions such as eating, listening to the radio, having conversations, or talking or texting on a phone.
• Remind yourself to look both ways when you approach an intersection.
• Avoid highways where speed makes it hard to judge distances. If you do drive on the freeway, stay in the right-hand lane. Traffic moves more slowly there. This might give you more time to make safe driving decisions.