When should older drivers stop driving?

Young drivers must be a certain age to get a license, but it’s less clear when older adults should hang up the keys.

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of motor vehicle deaths involving adults aged 65 and over increased by 15%, surpassing 8,200 deaths, according to data from the National Security Council.

Fox News Digital spoke with Tina Paff, President of Bick’s Driving School of Western Hills in Ohioon how to keep aging drivers safe and how family members can recognize potential warning signs.

Red flags for senior drivers

Paff runs Bick’s Driver Rehabilitation Program, which evaluates the driving skills of seniors to determine whether they should be recommended to “retire” from driving vehicles.

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For family members and loved ones concerned about the risks of older adults driving, Paff identified several warning signs.

Physical damage to vehicles. A key red flag occurs if the driver starts having minor accidents, which could indicate careless driving.

“It might not be their fault, but it could also be due to their performance on the road,” Paff said.

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She recommended inspecting the exterior of the senior’s car for signs of damage, such as dents and scratches on the bumpers.

Another telltale sign is damaged mirrors; this could indicate the driver is banging on mailboxes or hitting curbs.

Effects of medications. It is important for family members to understand the potential effects of medications the driver is taking, Paff noted.

“Sometimes an older person will feel like their driving is safer because they have slowed down, but this is actually causing more problems,” the expert noted. (iStock)

“Starting a new medication or changing dosages can potentially change some of a person’s habits, including driving,” she said.

Slower driving. As adults age, they tend to slow down on the road, the expert said.

“Sometimes an older person will feel like their driving is safer because they’ve slowed down, but it’s actually causing more problems,” she noted.

The vision changes. As older adults’ vision becomes problematic, it is essential that they see an ophthalmologist to be evaluated for glasses or corrective procedures, Paff said.

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“If they have macular degeneration, they might start to have blind spots in their vision and no longer see a car or a person,” she warned.

Mild cognitive impairment. The driver rehabilitation program often works with doctors to determine recommendations regarding the abilities of older drivers.

“‘Mild cognitive impairment’ is a very generalized term that we hear a lot from doctors,” Paff said.

If an elderly person begins to experience the first signs of dementia or Alzheimer’sthis can be seen in their driving skills.

A key red flag occurs if the driver starts having minor accidents, which could indicate careless driving. (iStock)

“One of the most important signs we see in cognitive impairment is what we call processing speed,” Paff said.

“Even if the adult knows how to turn left in traffic and yield, they may be delayed in doing so.”

Additionally, if a senior begins to shuffle or walk extremely slowly, the family could attribute that to a regular effect of aging, Paff said — but it could also delay their reaction time when driving.

Evaluations and modifications

When it comes to determining whether an older person should continue to drive, the decision is not always clear: yes or no.

In many cases, Paff said, families or doctors’ offices will contact Bick’s to request a safety evaluation for a senior driver.

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Adult children often say they are uncomfortable in the car with an aging parent.

“If you’re scared, something’s wrong,” Paff said. “And that’s where we come in with the assessment, because kids don’t want to be ‘mean’ and take away their parents’ driver’s license.”

During a two-hour assessment, Bick’s assesses the driver’s abilities visual skillsphysical skills and cognitive abilities, then submits them to a driving test.

When it comes to determining whether an older person should continue to drive, the decision is not always clear: yes or no.

Sometimes modifications can be implemented to ensure a safer driving experience.

“There are often things we can do to help them continue to drive that a son or daughter wouldn’t think of,” Paff said.

As people age and experience changes in their spine, for example, they may no longer be able to turn their neck as fully as before.

As older adults’ vision becomes problematic, it is essential that they see an ophthalmologist to be evaluated for glasses or corrective procedures, Paff said. (iStock)

“We could recommend different styles of mirrors that can be applied to the car and show all the blind spots for people with limited mobility,” Paff said.

It might also be possible to modify the seats to meet the needs of older drivers.

There are currently no U.S. states that require seniors to give up their licenses because of their age.

Even when they drive the same car they’ve been driving for years, they may not be able to see properly due to narrowing, Paff noted.

“In this case, it might just be a matter of using seat cushions,” she said.

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There are scenarios in which evaluators determine that the driver is not fit to drive.

“We do not have the authority to take away a driver’s license, nor does the Department of Motor Vehicles,” Paff said.

“In these cases, we inform the driver’s doctor of the recommendation to include it in the medical record.

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Although driving laws vary across the country, no U.S. state currently requires seniors to give up their licenses because of their age, according to Progressive’s website.

Some states, however, require seniors of a certain age to take written tests, driving tests, and/or vision evaluations when renewing their license.

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