Elderly Drivers

Elderly drivers are more likely to take medications than younger drivers, and it’s important to always check labels before driving. If the label mentions drowsiness or discourages driving or operating any type of machinery, you may want to switch medications if you need to drive. Talk to your doctor about alternative medications, and be aware of your body when you become lightheaded or drowsy while driving.

Once you hit a certain age, you should see an eye doctor once a year to have your eyes checked, and update any eyeglass prescriptions you have. If you have a hard time seeing, don’t drive at night or wear sunglasses to reduce the sun’s glare when driving during the day. Before you put the car in drive, make sure your headlights, mirrors, and windshield are clean and clear so you don’t have any disruptions to your vision.

Weak hearing can impair your ability to drive safely. Check your hearing regularly and always wear hearing aids if you need them. Watch for emergency vehicles that may be easier to see before they are heard. Elderly drivers are often singled out unfairly and given traffic citations for not pulling over quickly. A trusted traffic ticket attorney has a better chance of helping you if you have done everything possible to improve your driving.

There may come a time when you simply must give up driving because of health conditions, but the goal is to stay on the road as long as possible. Talk to your health care provider regularly about driving and listen to their recommendations. Stay physically active to ensure that you can move fast when you need to. Take care of your body to ensure that you can continue to drive independently.