You’ve seen the news. This summer in California, an 86-year-old man accidentally drove into a farmers’ market, killing 10 and injuring dozens. Last month in the Twin Cities, an 88-year-old woman crashed her car into three others, killing an elderly couple. A recent study found that Wisconsin’s oldest drivers have a higher accident rate per miles driven than every other age group except for those 20 and younger. So, are some people too old to drive? There’s no simple answer. It’s no secret that as we age, our physical abilities decline. But the rate of decline varies by individual. Also, we acquire experience and – hopefully – wisdom as we age, while also becoming more cautious. In general, however, elderly people tend to have slower response times, which can cause problems when driving. Deteriorating vision is another health concern for senior drivers. Cataracts, for example, cause vision to be blurred and heighten a person’s sensitivity to light, resulting in difficulties in driving at night. Glaucoma impairs a person’s peripheral vision. And macular degeneration causes loss of central vision. Other health conditions common to seniors that can affect driving are listed below. o Dementia and Alzheimer’s, which cause sufferers to be confused. o Arthritis, which can hinder a drivers’ ability to turn the steering wheel, look over his or her shoulder, or check rear-view mirrors. o Sleep apnea, which is two times more common in seniors than the general population. o Diabetes, which can leave one feeling disoriented and shaky. o Parkinson’s disease, which can cause rigidity and slowness of movement. o Stroke, the aftereffects of which can lead to diminished muscle control and balance. o Medications, which can cause harmful side effects such as drowsiness. Watch for the warning signs. If you or a loved one fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs, get honked at frequently, fail to see or understand traffic signs, become increasingly nervous at busy traffic intersections or simply become too afraid to drive, you should consider alternative means of transportation. Some general tips to help ensure safer driving include having your vision and hearing tested regularly, knowing and understanding the medications you are taking and their potential side effects, staying physically fit, not driving under stressful conditions, planning your route in advance, and driving an appropriate vehicle. Seniors should also keep their body and mind active. For example, crossword puzzles and word games may slow the loss of brain cells in the decision-making portion of the brain. A study conducted at the U of M also found that aerobic exercise can reduce the loss of strength, mobility, balance and endurance vital for safe driving. If you are worried about your driving skills, or a loved one has concerns, a visit to an occupational therapist would be appropriate. Seniors should also consider enrolling in the AARP’s driver safety program, “55 Alive.” Those who successfully complete the course receive a reduced rate on their automobile insurance. For more information, visit
Older drivers should take extra precautions
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