The Canadian Automobile Association has compiled a list of warning signs that could signify whether a person needs to change driving habits, as well as information on a doctor’s role in managing this transition.
Normal aging affects driving, but there isn’t a set age when a person is no longer safe behind the wheel. In fact, most people can safely drive well into their senior years. Here are some things to look for that may be clues that driving habits need to change:
- Has the driver been issued two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the past two years? Tickets can predict a greater risk for collision.
- Has the driver been involved in two or more collisions or near-misses in the past two years? Rear-end crashes, parking lot fender-benders and side collisions while turning across traffic rank as the most common mishaps for drivers with diminishing skills, depth perception or reaction time.
- Does the driver have difficulty working the brake and gas pedals? Drivers who lift their legs to move from the accelerator to the brake, rather than keeping a heel on the floor and pressing with the toes, may have waning leg strength.
- Does the driver sometimes miss stop signs and other traffic signals? Perhaps the driver is inattentive or cannot spot the signs in a crowded, constantly moving visual field.
- Does the driver weave between or straddle lanes? Signaling incorrectly or not at all when changing lanes can be particularly dangerous, especially if the driver fails to check mirrors or blind spots.
- Do other drivers honk or pass frequently, even when the traffic stream is moving relatively slowly? This may indicate difficulty keeping pace with fast-changing conditions.
- Does the driver get lost or disoriented easily, even in familiar places? This could indicate problems with working memory or early cognitive decline.
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If you or your loved one exhibits one or more of the above warning signs, consider taking a comprehensive driving evaluation and be sure to talk to a doctor to help identify and address any weaknesses. These warnings don’t necessarily mean that it’s necessary to stop driving, but it is likely important to at least adjust driving habits. Know your limits and drive within them.
Warning signs that dementia is affecting driving skills:
- Forgetting how to locate familiar places.
- Failing to observe traffic signs and signals.
- Becoming angry or confused while driving.
- Often hitting curbs while driving.
- Forgetting your destination during a trip.
