Age affects everyone differently. Some people are active and sharp well into their 90s, while others suffer physical and mental decline starting in their 50s. There are exceptions to every rule, and unsafe drivers come in every age. However, in 2021 there were 8,209 fatalities involving drivers aged 65 or older, compared to the low of 5,613 in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Keep in mind, the currency life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.8, the older population is growing, and licenses are staying in date. Although the question is uncomfortable, it must be asked: When should seniors stop driving?

When Should Seniors Stop Driving?

Sometimes older people overestimate their driving skills, which makes them resistant to giving up their license. After all, they’ve been driving all their lives; they know what they are doing. But through no fault of their own, they can undergo health effects that impair their driving, according to the National Institute on Aging. Sometimes these issues can be treated with glasses, hearing aids, etc., but the solution is usually not that simple.

Resistance to Giving Up the Wheels

Chronic illnesses and similar conditions often affect quality of life and impede independent living, making them difficult diagnoses to accept. However, these feelings should not be prioritized over the safety of everyone on the road. Remember, an older person is more likely to suffer severe injuries in a crash compared to younger people. So here are signs it may be time for seniors to stop driving. (And perhaps get assessed by their health care provider.)

Stiff Joints and Muscles

Many older people struggle with stiff joints, weakening muscles, and chronic pain. Arthritis is, unfortunately, common. These symptoms can get in the way of certain aspects of driving, like quickly turning the steering wheel, braking, and turning the head to check blind spots. Even if these issues don’t impede movement, they may lead to slower reflexes and reaction times as well as difficulties steering or managing foot pedals.

Vision Loss

Eyesight tends to change with age, sometimes in unexpected ways. People who are already near-sighted or far-sighted may need an updated prescription; some might need their first. Reading street signs and recognizing familiar places may take longer than before. Glares from headlights, streetlights, and even the sun can be blinding. To make matters worse, age is a risk factor in many eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The NIH recommends that people who are 60 or older undergo a dilated eye exam every 1–2 years.

Hearing Loss

Hearing ability can worsen with time, which can make driving dangerous. Noise plays a massive role on the road. Sirens warn you that you may need to pull over or get out of the way. Other drivers can communicate and warn through beeping their horns (or shouting). Moreover, strange sounds can indicate if there’s something wrong with the vehicle you’re driving. Hearing loss can be “blinding” for drivers, so ensure you get your hearing tested every 3 years after your 50th birthday, or more frequently if you have risk factors for hearing loss such as exposure to loud noise.

Certain Prescription Medications

Many medications warn against “operating heavy machinery” after taking them, and that definitely includes driving. For instance, antipsychotic and antiseizure medicines, muscle relaxants, opioids, anxiety drugs, cannabis, and some antidepressants may cause side effects that make it extremely dangerous to go behind the wheel. These include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, slowed movement, brain fog, fainting, blurred vision, and more, warns the NHTSA.

OTC Medicines and Combinations

This is true for any age; everyone should avoid driving after consuming alcohol, sleep aids, cold and allergy medicines, and similar over-the-counter drugs. Keep in mind, sometimes medicines are fine to drive on, but not when combined with other medications. Speak to your doctor about driving with your prescriptions, since there is often a simple solution, such as adjusting the time you take the drugs, changing doses, or switching to a brand that causes fewer side effects, recommends the FDA.

Certain Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions involve the aforementioned symptoms that make driving dangerous for everyone on the road, says Patient.info. An example is dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions that impede memory, thinking, and decision-making skills. Another example is epilepsy because it causes seizures that come with no warning. People with this condition often need to report to the DVLA and be seizure-free for an extended period of time before getting back behind the wheel.

More Signs It’s Time to Stop Driving

• Often driving too fast or too slowly
• Frequent accidents or near-misses
• Tickets and other issues with traffic authorities
• Other drivers’ reactions, such as being frequently honked at
• Unexplained dents and scratches on the vehicle
• Getting lost in familiar neighborhoods
• Difficulty seeing road signs, exit lanes, etc.
• People reluctant to be their passengers
• Anxiety about driving at night
• Friends, neighbors, and family members expressing concern about erratic or unsafe driving (Harvard Health)

Safety Tips for Seniors Still Driving

If you or a senior in your family wonder if they should stop driving, speak to a health care provider. If you’re unsure if your driving has declined, you can have your skills checked by a driving specialist (such as through the American Occupational Therapy Association, your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, or a professional recommended by your doctor). Overall, maintain good health by exercising, stretching, wearing prescribed glasses and hearing aids, etc. Plan your drive in advance to avoid potential difficulties, such as traffic and rush-hour, highways, bad weather, poor visibility at night, and the like. And always avoid distractions when behind the wheel, like eating or using your cell phone.