| We may joke that 35 is the new 21, and declare | | | | senior driver) suffers from any of the following, |
| that life begins at forty, but in all seriousness, our | | | | be sure to confirm with a doctor that it is safe to |
| longer-lived population means that people are | | | | drive, and if your instinct tells you not to get |
| staying behind the wheel at far more advanced | | | | behind the wheel, don't. |
| ages then ever before. Drivers over the age of | | | | Some conditions that have been mentioned on |
| 75 have, as a group, the highest rate of fatal | | | | accident claims are: |
| daytime car accidents. Often, this is due to the | | | | Diabetes: Senior drivers who are diabetic must be |
| fact that senior drivers don't always notice the | | | | aware of the related complications, like vision |
| gradual deterioration of important driving skills, like | | | | impairment and low blood sugar that could affect |
| response time and the ability to make snap | | | | their driving ability. Low blood sugar can cause |
| decisions. | | | | moments of disorientation and confusion in all |
| It is important for senior drivers to keep their | | | | diabetics, senior citizens or not. |
| behind-the-wheel skills sharp, and to be aware of | | | | Falling: Seniors who are prone to losing their |
| current traffic laws and driving trends. No one | | | | balance, or have had more than one serious fall in |
| wants an accident to be the first sign that there | | | | the past two years should probably not drive at |
| is a problem. As well, staying safe on the road is | | | | all, or at least should drastically reduce their time |
| a key to keeping the insurance discount for | | | | behind the wheel. |
| mature drivers that many companies offer their | | | | Neurological Disorders: Senior citizens in the earliest |
| over-55-year-old customers. | | | | stages of dementia may seem perfectly normal |
| If you have a senior driver in your family, or if | | | | most of the time, but they can become easily |
| you are one, here are some things you should be | | | | disoriented or agitated when faced with busy |
| aware of: | | | | traffic, and this is more likely to occur as the |
| What do they drive? | | | | disease progresses. As well, they may get lost, |
| The car a senior driver chooses makes a | | | | even on familiar streets, confuse the pedals of |
| difference in how well they drive. Senior drivers | | | | the car, or lose valuable response time. |
| need to have vehicles that provide greater | | | | Accident Prevention |
| freedom of movement, visibility that is | | | | In addition to being aware of their own physical |
| unrestricted, and controls that are easy to use. | | | | condition, seniors may want to consider a few |
| Items to avoid include seats that don't adjust, | | | | additional measures in order to stay safe on the |
| heavy doors, and poorly designed seatbelts. The | | | | road. Having another person in the car can often |
| latter should be easy to reach and easy to | | | | be helpful, if there are no relatives or friends to |
| engage. The seats should allow the driver to sit | | | | run errands on their behalf. Family who can help |
| comfortably, and see the road, dashboard displays | | | | out should offer, rather than waiting to be asked. |
| and rear- and side-view mirrors with no | | | | As well, senior drivers may find that taking a |
| obstructions. Doors should be light enough for | | | | driving class to brush up on their skills may help |
| someone without a lot of arm strength to pull | | | | them feel more confident behind the wheel, as |
| completely closed, even in windy weather. | | | | well as help reduce their insurance premium a little |
| Get Physical | | | | more. If a general defensive driving class is |
| Because physical impairments (poor vision, poor | | | | intimidating there are special classes for senior |
| hearing, etc.) may be a detriment to save driving, | | | | drivers offered by the DMV in several states, and |
| it is crucial that senior drivers see their primary | | | | AARP also offers their "55 Alive" driving class in |
| physicians for annual check-ups, and ask if driving | | | | both online and face-to-face formats. |
| is still safe. Specific questions that may be asked | | | | The golden years shouldn't be tarnished by a lack |
| are, "Where and when should I not be driving?" | | | | of transportation. By being aware of their own |
| and "What can I do to improve my flexibility and | | | | limitations, and taking steps to compensate, senior |
| strength?" | | | | drivers can safely stay on the road for many |
| In addition to general physical condition, there are | | | | years. |
| specific ailments common among the elderly that | | | | Maximize your savings without compromising your |
| could adversely affect driving. If you (or your | | | | safety with these auto insurance quotes. |