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Giving up the keys |
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Giving Up The Keys
When You Or Your Loved One
Can No Longer Drive
Courtesy of
the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
As
experienced drivers grow older, changes in their
vision, attention and physical abilities may cause
them to drive less safely than they used to.
Sometimes these changes happen so slowly that the
drivers are not even aware that their driving safety
is at risk.
If
you have questions about a loved one’s driving
safety, here’s what you can do to help him or her stay safe AND mobile.
Is your loved one a
safe driver?
If
you have the chance, go for a ride with your loved
one. Look for the following warning signs in his or her driving:
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Forgets to buckle up
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Does not obey stop signs or traffic lights
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Fails to yield the right of way
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Drives too slowly or too quickly
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Often gets lost, even on familiar routes
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Stops at a green light or at the wrong time
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Doesn’t seem to notice other cars, pedestrians,
or cyclists on the road
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Doesn’t stay in his or her lane
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Is honked at or passed often
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Reacts slowly to driving situations
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Makes poor driving decisions
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Is nervous when driving
Other signs of unsafe driving
include:
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Recent near misses or fender benders
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Recent tickets for moving violations
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Comments from passengers about close calls, near
misses, or the driver not seeing
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other vehicles
Riding with or following this person every once in a
while is one way to keep track of
his or her driving. Another way is to talk to this
person’s spouse or friends.
If you are concerned about your loved one’s
driving, what can you do?
Talk
to your loved one and/or other family members. Say
that you are concerned
about his or her driving safety.
Does he or she share your concern?
Don’t bring up your concerns in the car. It’s
dangerous to distract the driver. Wait until you
have his or her full attention.
Explain why you are concerned. Give specific
reasons—for example, recent fender
benders, getting lost, or running stop signs.
Realize that your loved one may become upset or
defensive. After all, driving is
important for independence and self esteem.
If
your loved one doesn’t want to talk about driving at
this time, bring it up again
later. But don’t give up. It’s a difficult
conversation, but it’s important.
Your
continued concern and support may help him or her
feel more comfortable with this
topic.
Be a
good listener. Take your loved one’s concerns
seriously.
How to help the aging
driver
Help make plans for transportation.
When
your loved one is ready to talk about his or her
driving safety, you can work
together to create plans for future safety.
Make a formal agreement about
driving.
In
this agreement, your loved one chooses a person to
tell him or her when it is no
longer safe to drive. This person then agrees to
help your loved one make the
transition to driving retirement.
Help create a transportation plan.
Your
loved one may rely less on driving if he or she has
other ways to get around.
Encourage a visit to the doctor.
The
doctor can check your loved one’s medical history,
list of medicines, and
current health to see if any of these may be
affecting his or her driving safety. The
doctor can also provide treatment to help improve
driving safety.
How to help when your loved one retires from
driving.
At
some point, your loved one may need to stop driving
for his or her own safety and the safety of others
on the road. You and your loved one may come to this
decision yourselves, or at the recommendation of a
doctor or the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
When
someone close to you retires from driving, there are
several things you can do to make this easier for
him or her:
Create a transportation plan.
It’s
often easier for people to give up driving if they
have other ways to get around. Help your loved one
create a list of “tried-and-true” ride options. This
list can include:
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The names and phone numbers of friends and
relatives who are willing to give rides, with
the days and times they are available.
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The phone number of a local cab company.
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Which bus to take to get to a specific place.
Try riding with your loved one the first time to
help him or her feel more comfortable.
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The phone number for a shuttle service. Call the
community center and regional transit authority
to see if they offer a door-to-door shuttle
service for older passengers.
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The names and phone numbers of volunteer
drivers. Call the community or seniors centre to see if they have a
volunteer driver program.
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If your loved one can’t go shopping, help him or
her shop from home. Arrange for medicines and
groceries to be delivered.
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See which services make house calls—local
hairdressers or barbers may be able to stop by
for a home visit.
Encourage social activities.
Visits with friends, time spent at the senior centre,
and volunteer work are important for one’s health
and well-being. When creating a transportation plan,
don’t forget to include rides to social activities.
It’s especially important for your loved one to
maintain social ties and keep spirits high during
this time of adjustment.
Be there for your loved one.
Let
your loved one know that he or she has your support.
Offer help willingly and be a
good listener. This is an emotionally difficult
time, and it’s important to show that
you care.
Where can I get more help?
For
more information on Driver Training, check out
www.icbc.com, click on Driver
Licensing then Driver Training or call toll free 1
800 950-1498 for your local Driver Service Centre.
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Courtesy
ICBC. All rights reserved. |
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