When should I give up my
car? This is a decision every person has to make. Physical abilities
change when people age; response time increases and vision declines;
people tire more quickly and need to rest longer between activities.
Some medications interfere with response times. These changes
usually trigger a call from families to give up driving. One of the
strongest desires of seniors is to main-tain their own independence.
Giving up the car defeats this desire to maintain inde-pendence and
freedom.
Ask Questions:
Explore these questions to help you decide when to
give up the car:
o
Take a look at your
use of your car.
l
Where do you go?
l How often?
o
Take a look at
your-self and your ability to operate your car safely.
l
Is your vision OK for driving?
l
Are others reacting to your driving? Do other drivers
honk at you in
traffic?
l
Are you taking medications which might slow your
reaction times?
o
Take a look at your car
l
Does your car fit you?
l
Are you comfortable in
the driver's seat?
l
Can you see adequately? Larger mirrors can be added to assist line
of site when driving.
l
Is your car safe for driving?
o
What do you
give up if you do not drive yourself?
o
Can you afford
the cost of maintaining your car?
l
What is the cost of insurance and license for
your car?
l
Do you drive your car enough to justify these costs?
Take a look at options
Plan your routes and trips so that you can drive
safely:
l
When possible use intersections with
stoplights and signs rather than the unmarked ones.
l
Drive during the daylight
hours for best visibility.
l
Avoid interstate highways
when possible.
l
Avoid "rush hour" traffic.
Driving
Alternatives
l
Who could use your car to drive you to destinations
when you do not want to drive? Be sure to check on insurance
coverage for both the other driver and your vehicle!
l
Is public transportation available? Many communities
have easy-to-ride vans for seniors. Ask your local Area Agency on
Aging office about senior transportation services in your town.
Talk over these and other
options with your family. They may have creative solutions you have
not
thought
about. Giving up your car does not mean giving up going out; it just
means you do not have to be the driver.
