Protecting Yourself From Elderly, Unsafe Drivers

I am an older driver, and though I have never had an accident, I have had some close calls. One day I exited the freeway and came to a full stop at the end of the ramp. Just as I was about to turn right, an elderly driver approached from the opposite direction. He came closer and drove down the sidewalk!

It was a black to sidewalk, not cement, and the different surface may have confused the driver. After driving about a block, he realized his error, stopped, backed up (which was scary), and managed to get back on the road. Obviously, this man should not have been driving.

Elderly, unsafe drivers are a national concern, according to the article, “Elderly Drivers: What are The Dangers?” The article, published on the All Sands Website, says the “graying” of America, along with the increased mobility of the elderly, “poses a serious highway safety issue.” Elderly, unsafe drivers continue to make headlines, injuring pedestrians, killing pedestrians, driving into buildings, crunching other cars, and in some instances, mowing down groups of people.

Aging drivers have many health issues that affect their driving. These issues include vision and hearing problems, medication that slows reaction time, sleepiness, dementia, being at risk of heart attack and stroke, and even epilepsy. These drivers are such a problem that the American Medical Association developed driving assessment guidelines for physicians.

The Aging Parents and Elder Care Website includes an evaluation checklist in the article, “When to Put the Brakes on Elderly Drivers.” According to the article, elderly drivers are safe most of the time. But the loss of muscle strength, cognitive problems, and low tolerance for alcohol can make them unsafe. States are starting to take legal steps to protect the driving public.

“Danger: Elderly Driver Ahead,” an article in the “Boston Globe,” says New Hampshire and Illinois rquire drivers over the age of 75 to re-take the driver’s test. Connecticut requires elderly drivers to apply for license renewal in person. While these legal measures protect elderly, unsafe drivers from themselves and others, more needs to be done.

How can you protect yourself from elderly, unsafe drivers? Defensive driving is the only answer. You probably drive defensively now, but you need to sharpen your skills, and be on constant alert. Here are other steps you can take to protect yourself.

1. Watch for erratic driving — abrupt lane changes, not using turn signals, speeding up and slowing down — when you are on the road.

2. If you are behind an elderly, unsafe driver, slow down and lengthen your margin of safety. Stay well behind this driver.

3. Never trust turn signals. Elderly, unsafe drivers may signal one way and turn another. Again, slow down when the driver signals and make sure he or she turns in that direction.

4. Elderly, unsafe drivers often drift into other lanes. If this happens to you, move over as far as you can and sound the horn.

5. Be hyper alert in parking lots, where elderly, unsafe drivers often drive “cross country” and park across the white lines. Keep your distance from these drivers and do not park next to them.

6. Jot down the license number and file a report with the local or state police. Also jot down the date, location, and unsafe driving you observed. Drastic as it may sound, this step could save lives.

Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson

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