Driving Safety ... Make it a Priority

Dr. Ruth Penrod Morris, Retired Optometrist and Assistant State Coordinator for AARP's 55/Alive

Editors note: we asked Dr. Morris to write some of her insights on safe driving concerns of older persons. Dr. Morris, age 76, was also asked how she would feel having her car keys taken away, as we may face with an elderly loved one. Here are her responses:

Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death for those aged 65-74, and the second leading cause for seniors over 75. Elderly drivers, adjusting for motor vehicle crashes per mile driven, are second only to those aged less than 24 years for having the highest crash rates.

Typically, seniors' traffic violations include failure to yield the right-of-way, improper turning, passing, and entering and leaving expressways.

Baby Boomers, I challenge you to recall when you were last exposed to formal driver education.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides seniors with a driver education course designed for persons 50 years and older. Volunteer certified instructors, over 50 years of age, teach the course. It has been shown that graduates of the 55/Alive mature driving course make 10% fewer auto insurance claims. Some insurance companies honor graduates with an auto insurance premium reduction.

The course costs $8.00 and is open to non-members. Classes are given over a two-day period, in two four hour time blocks. No tests are given and no driving is required.

As a person age 76 with over 60 years of driving experience, I am more aware of the physiological change, due to aging, that has decreased the quality of my driving skills, and the need to compensate for such. Thanks to 55/Alive, I avoid night driving and heavy traffic, especially, busy intersections.

Impaired hearing is a common problem for 20 percent of people age 55 and older, and 30 percent of those over the age of 65. A solution to this, for some, is obtaining a hearing aid. My recent hearing deficit is beautifully corrected with hearing aids. Not all seniors can afford or will wear hearing aids though.

As an Optometrist, I know vision is a critical factor that impacts driving ability. An estimated 85-90 percent of all information needed to drive comes from the eye. With aging, our pupils don't allow as much light to enter the eye as when we are young. Thus, our ability to see in low light conditions, such as night driving, also diminishes. In the 55/Alive course we teach the importance of driving with our lights on so the other driver will see us. ( I do not await rain to do this. My lights go on when I insert my car keys.)

A coordinator of programs at a huge senior resident complex asked me how to stop her residents with Alzheimer's disease from driving. A physician can be of great help in cases like this by refering the patient for an "Occupational Therapy Evaluation". If impairments are found, the doctor will advise of any restrictions. Most insurance companies and Medicare will pay for such an evaluation and Ohio will deny licensure for certain functional impairments.

I often receive calls from concerned children requesting a 55/Alive mature driving course for their parents. In every case I urge the son or daughter to take the course with the parent. Too often I hear laughter and the question, "You think I need help too?" In most cases my answer is YES.

These "Children", by age 50, should be taking the course too. One might ask of them how long it has been since their last exposure to formal drivers education? Each one of us is guilty of equating years of driving experience with expertise. Besides, what a beautiful learning experience this could be for the family! I assure you, I badly needed 55/Alive. Most likely, so do you.

The number "55" in the program title refers to the average age when normal age-related changes begin to affect driving ability. I learn from the experienced drivers in every course I teach. A senior called asking "Where can I get that 55 stay alive course?" He had the right idea.

Group discussions keep our courses lively. We talk over our frustrations behind the wheel and how to handle them. We discuss in detail our most common driving errors and how to compensate for them. If the 50 year old would just share with the parent taking 55/Alive, facing that eventual loss of keys might be easier for the parent.

As for me, compared to losing my husband, relinquishing my car keys and the mobility and independence associated with it would appear as but a bump along the road of life. I am driven to pay back for my many blessings. Could it be that relinquishing my car keys would free me of guilt to better smell the flowers? I am not afraid.

Our grandchildren now insist their family members wear safety belts (its the law!). You need to lead the way, by renewing driving safety education with your parents.

Peer pressure is as alive for seniors as it is for you. Your peers can't touch you, however, you can use your parents as an excuse. What a loving message you are sending to your children as well.

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