How Aging Affects the Ability to Drive

MIND: Reaction time slows, confusion grows, quick decisions become more difficult and distractions have greater impact.

EYES: Aging causes several vision problems that can interfere with driving. Signs include blurred, hazy, sensitive to light and/or reduced peripheral vision to name just a few.

NECK: The neck stiffens, motion becomes painful, glancing over one shoulder to look for traffic becomes difficult. Arthritis can make it hard to grip the steering wheel.

KNEES, ANKLES & FEET: Joints stiffen, foot and knee movement becomes difficult and painful, gas pedal gets pushed instead of the brake.

Having “The Talk” is never easy, but it’s necessary. New York State has no laws that require elderly drivers to prove they are still capable of driving. That decision is totally left up to the driver or his or her family.

Resources available on the internet for families is www.aarp.org/weneedtotalk or www.aarp.org/drive to refresh driving skills or a free screening tool developed by AAA to help seniors measure certain mental and physical abilities important for safe driving at www.seniordrivers.org/home.