Depending on where you live, driving is probably a vital part of your everyday life. Which is why for many people over the age of 70, it’s a crucial aspect of maintaining their independence. It allows them to stay connected with the people they love, and get to their daily activities and to-do’s. 

This sense of autonomy can give seniors a special sense of pride that gives them confidence and a sense of being self-sufficient. This is why it can be so hard for older adults to accept that it may be time to hang up their car keys and leave the driving to someone else. 

Yet, as we get older, our vision and reaction time can significantly degrade, making it dangerous not only for ourselves, but also for others when we take the wheel. Sometimes it’s up to another family member to look for the signs and explain to an older loved one that it’s time to stop driving. 

Here are some of the signs to look for that it’s time to have a conversation with your older loved one about whether driving is still a good idea.

Frequent Accidents

If your loved one has been experiencing a series of close calls or fender benders, then this could indicate that their cognitive and physical changes are affecting their ability to drive. These incidents may seem out of their hands initially, however, as they continue to occur, you may realize that they may be a result of slower reaction times or even impaired vision. When you start adding up these different challenges together, it can pose a serious risk to staying safe on the road.

Difficulty Navigating Familiar Places

One of the telltale signs of cognitive decline is suddenly feeling lost in once-familiar places. So, if you start to notice that your loved one is having difficulty navigating once-familiar routes, then this could be a serious red flag. 

In the worst-case scenario, it could be an early sign of dementia, or memory loss.  If your loved one is more frequently starting to forget where they are or how to navigate, then it’s definitely something you should not only discuss with them but also with their doctor. After all, following directions and having a sense of where you are is a critical part of navigating safely.

Increased Anxiety
If a senior is having increasing anxiety when driving, then this is an obvious sign that they’re not comfortable behind the wheel. Getting overly angry, scared, or frustrated at the slightest occurrence can pose a risk to being able to drive safely. Anxiety can significantly impair your decision-making when driving and also your physical ability to navigate and control the vehicle.