As cognitive function, coordination, eyesight and other skills decline in old age, it may be time for an elderly person to quit driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mentions these warning signs that seniors may no longer be able to drive safely:
- Becoming lost when taking a familiar route.
- Appearance of new scratches and dents on the car.
- Getting ticketed for a driving violation.
- Getting into a car accident, or having a near-miss.
- Receiving a recommendation from a doctor to stop or reduce driving, having health problems that impact driving, or taking medications that affect driving.
- Finding that road signs and road markings are suddenly overwhelming.
- Driving too fast or too slowly for no apparent reason.
Health Tip: Is My Memory Loss Normal?
Everyone forgets things now and then, and remembering everything naturally becomes more difficult as you get older.
But certain types of memory loss may indicate something much more serious. The American Academy of Family Physicians says the following warning signs should not be ignored:
- Suddenly forgetting things much more frequently than you once did.
- Having difficulty remembering tasks you have performed many times.
- Having trouble learning how to do new things.
- Telling the same stories or saying the same phrases repeatedly in a conversation.
- Having problems dealing with money or making decisions.
- Having difficulty keeping track of daily events.
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