 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nelson County Health System P O Box 367 McVille, ND 58254 701.322.4328
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Am I a Safe Driver?
By Darlene C. Kelly ARNP
As life expectancy remains at an all-time high and the older population rapidly increases, the
number of older adult drivers is crowing rapidly.
Driving can be crucial for performing necessary chores and maintaining social connectedness.
Many older adults continue to work past retirement age or engage in volunteer work or other
organized activities. In most cases, driving is the preferred means of transportation. In some rural
areas such as ours, driving may be the sole means of transportation.
The ability to continue driving may mean continued mobility and independence for older drivers
with great effects on their quality of life and self-esteem. But the probability of losing our ability to
drive increases with advanced age. It is estimated that the average man will have 6 years of life
without the functional ability to drive a car and the average woman (because they usually live
longer) will have 10 years.
While most older drivers are more likely to use seat belts and less likely to drive at night, speed,
tailgate, consume alcohol prior to driving or engage in other risky behaviors, many begin to feel
limited by slower reaction times, chronic health problems and the effects of medications. Because
of this they begin to modify their driving, reducing their mileage, driving only in certain conditions
or certain places. Some may stop altogether as they begin to feel unsafe or lose confidence.
When concerns arise, it would be a good idea to discuss them with your Healthcare provider as
some conditions can be alleviated and modifications can be made for others.
Take the “Am I a Safe Driver?” checklist and if you answer yes to any of the statements, your
safety may be at risk when you drive. Talk to your Healthcare provider about ways to improve your
safety when you drive.
Am I a Safe Driver?
1) I get lost while driving.
2) My friends or family members say they are worried about my driving.
3) Other cars seem to appear from nowhere.
4) I have trouble finding and reading signs in time to respond to them.
5) Other drivers drive too fast.
6) Other drivers often honk at me.
7) Driving stresses me out,
8) After driving, I feel tired.
9) I feel sleepy when I drive.
10) I have had more “near-misses” lately.
11) Busy intersections bother me.
12) Left-hand turns make me nervous.
13) The glare from the oncoming headlights bothers me.
14) My medication makes me dizzy or drowsy.
15) I have trouble pushing down the foot pedal.
16) I have trouble looking over my shoulder when I back up.
17) I have been stopped by the police for my driving.
18) People no longer will accept rides from me.
19) I have difficulty backing up.
20) I have had accidents that were my fault in the past year.
21) I am too cautious when driving.
22) I sometimes forget to use my mirrors or signals.
23) I sometimes forget to check for oncoming traffic.
24) I have more trouble parking lately.
By Darlene C. Kelly ARNP
As life expectancy remains at an all-time high and the older population rapidly increases, the
number of older adult drivers is crowing rapidly.
Driving can be crucial for performing necessary chores and maintaining social connectedness.
Many older adults continue to work past retirement age or engage in volunteer work or other
organized activities. In most cases, driving is the preferred means of transportation. In some rural
areas such as ours, driving may be the sole means of transportation.
The ability to continue driving may mean continued mobility and independence for older drivers
with great effects on their quality of life and self-esteem. But the probability of losing our ability to
drive increases with advanced age. It is estimated that the average man will have 6 years of life
without the functional ability to drive a car and the average woman (because they usually live
longer) will have 10 years.
While most older drivers are more likely to use seat belts and less likely to drive at night, speed,
tailgate, consume alcohol prior to driving or engage in other risky behaviors, many begin to feel
limited by slower reaction times, chronic health problems and the effects of medications. Because
of this they begin to modify their driving, reducing their mileage, driving only in certain conditions
or certain places. Some may stop altogether as they begin to feel unsafe or lose confidence.
When concerns arise, it would be a good idea to discuss them with your Healthcare provider as
some conditions can be alleviated and modifications can be made for others.
Take the “Am I a Safe Driver?” checklist and if you answer yes to any of the statements, your
safety may be at risk when you drive. Talk to your Healthcare provider about ways to improve your
safety when you drive.
Am I a Safe Driver?
1) I get lost while driving.
2) My friends or family members say they are worried about my driving.
3) Other cars seem to appear from nowhere.
4) I have trouble finding and reading signs in time to respond to them.
5) Other drivers drive too fast.
6) Other drivers often honk at me.
7) Driving stresses me out,
8) After driving, I feel tired.
9) I feel sleepy when I drive.
10) I have had more “near-misses” lately.
11) Busy intersections bother me.
12) Left-hand turns make me nervous.
13) The glare from the oncoming headlights bothers me.
14) My medication makes me dizzy or drowsy.
15) I have trouble pushing down the foot pedal.
16) I have trouble looking over my shoulder when I back up.
17) I have been stopped by the police for my driving.
18) People no longer will accept rides from me.
19) I have difficulty backing up.
20) I have had accidents that were my fault in the past year.
21) I am too cautious when driving.
22) I sometimes forget to use my mirrors or signals.
23) I sometimes forget to check for oncoming traffic.
24) I have more trouble parking lately.
