What do your car keys mean to
you?
What do your car keys mean to you?
Independence, self esteem, identity are all things associated with
driving. What would you do if you were no longer able to drive? How
would you get around? Loss of a driver’s license is one of the most
common stressors for persons as they age past 65. Many seniors would
rather drive and have an increased risk of a crash than to sit at
home for two weeks or ask their children for another ride to the
store.
A survey completed by Generations Area Agency on Aging and funded by
a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and
the American Society on Aging, indicates that 84% of persons over 65
typically get around their community by driving themselves.
Fifty-five percent drive everyday and only 3% use public
transportation.
According to the Iowa Safety Management System, research has shown
that age alone is not a good predictor of driving safety or ability.
One key to knowing when an older driver is at risk is to know what
to look for. There are links to assessment tests on this website.
There is also additional information and links located at the
National Highway and Traffic Safety website,
www.DriveExperienced.org.
The good news is that studies show some older drivers can regain
once lost skills and judgments if they are motivated to do so. The
first step is to be assessed by a driver rehab specialist. The
specialist can determine if the driver is a candidate for regaining
lost skills. The rehab specialist can also offer retraining of these
skills.
There are other sources for improving driving skills including
accident prevention safety programs like 55 Alive. AARP’s 55 Alive
is an eight hour classroom course that is specifically tailored to
older drivers. The America Automobile Association (AAA) also offer a
programs that has valuable tips and information for drivers that
have been driving for a lifetime. There are ways to compensate for
changes brought on by aging. Even persons with severe disabilities
can continue to drive with specially equipped vehicles. For more
information, contact Generations Area Agency on Aging at
563-324-9085 or toll-free at 1-800-892-9085.
Older Driver Safe Mobility Summary of Findings
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