Driving Safely After 50 and Knowing When to Reassess
Driving keeps you connected to friends, errands, and the things you love. There’s no set age to stop. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration puts it, driving decisions should never be based on age alone. What matters is how well you can see, hear, move, and react, and those can change over time.
Warning Signs Worth Noticing
The National Institute on Aging suggests asking yourself honest questions like these:
- Have I had near misses, fender benders, or new dents I can’t explain?
- Do other drivers honk at me often?
- Is it harder to read road signs or see lane lines, especially at night?
- Can I turn my head easily to check mirrors and blind spots?
- Do I get lost on familiar roads?
- Have family, friends, or my doctor said they’re worried?
A “yes” doesn’t mean you must give up the keys. It means it’s a good time to talk with your doctor or family, or to get a driving assessment.
Check Your Vision, Hearing, and Medicines
- Vision. The CDC suggests having your eyes checked at least once a year and wearing your glasses or contacts every time you drive.
- Hearing. The NIA recommends a hearing check at least every three years after age 50. If you use hearing aids, wear them while driving.
- Medicines. Some medicines cause drowsiness or slow reactions, even if the label doesn’t warn about driving. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review everything you take, including over-the-counter products.
Talk With Your Doctor
Conditions such as arthritis, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and dementia can affect driving. Bring up driving at your next visit. Your doctor can also refer you to a driving rehabilitation specialist or occupational therapist who can test your driving skills. These assessments may have a fee.
Consider a Refresher Course
Driver safety courses for older adults are offered by national groups such as AARP and AAA, and some insurers can point you to local classes. Some are designed to help drivers adjust to age-related physical changes. Some insurance companies offer a discount after you finish one (see A Driving Course That Could Lower Your Car Insurance After 55).
Simple Habits That Help
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Drive in daylight and good weather when you can.
- Plan routes with fewer left turns and less highway driving.
- Leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead.
- Skip driving if you feel drowsy or lightheaded.
If You Drive Less
Cutting back doesn’t have to mean staying home. Many areas offer free or low-cost buses, taxis, or rideshares for older adults, scheduled trips to stores and doctors, or volunteer drivers through religious and civic groups. Your local Area Agency on Aging can help. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116. The CDC’s free MyMobility Plan can also help you think ahead about getting around.
