Knowing when to stop driving’s hard

There are many reasons to stop driving. Factors that affect our performance, such as fatigue, alcohol consumption, or anger, are all good reasons to temporarily quit driving. Advanced age, however, can bring reasons to leave the wheel for good.

Most of us will wish to drive as long as we can do so successfully, and may resist eventually giving it up. For drivers like me, who truly love it, losing the rights to our keys will be akin to losing a family member.

The trouble is, family members are often lost as aging drivers or as victims of aging drivers in traffic accidents. AAA and AARP have opinions on the subject, and insurance companies have a direct stake in the matter. Timely driving curtailment, whether it is reduction or total cutoff, is something all long-livers must face.

Experts at the aforementioned institutions all have recommendations to help determine this fearful fate, and I have some of my own. You may have a family member who is reaching this critical stage, or perhaps you are getting there yourself. If so, please look over some of the following warning signs that will help you decide if it’s time.

•Hitting curbs

•Scrapes or dents on car or garage door opening

•Slow response to emergency situations

•Getting lost in familiar places

•Near wrecks, or frequent close calls

•Difficulty staying in lane, or negotiating turns

•Frequent horn warnings from other drivers

•Reluctance of others to drive with you

•Repeated violations or warnings from law enforcement

•Driving at inappropriate speeds

•Stopping in traffic for no evident reason

•Incorrect signaling

•Confusing accelerator and brake pedals

•Agitation or irritation while driving

•Feeling fearful while driving

•Difficulty with peripheral vision

•Parking incorrectly

•Not turning head to check behind while backing or lane changing

•Having vehicle accident

•Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia

If you or a loved one experience these warning signs, with frequency, the situation may warrant close watch, reduction/restriction of driving, or and an immediate cessation.

Once the situation is assessed, and it’s determined that action is advisable, the hard part begins. AARP suggests, “While stopping driving may be the only answer in some cases, stopping driving too early can cause a person’s overall health to decline prematurely.”

It should be up to family members, mainly spouse and children, to offer candid advice regarding this issue. According to experts, it is best to approach the subject with a sense of caring for the person’s well being, and base conversations on observed behavior.

Family dynamics will come into play at these times. For example, a spouse may protect the driver in question by withholding evidence of driving errors from other family members. Among children, one may try to take charge of the situation, while another may avoid intervening to avoid affecting their relationship with the parent. Families need to have open communication about observed warning signs to “get on the same page.”

If impairment is evident, and either family members or the driver in question can’t reach resolution, outside help should be sought. The driver’s doctor, for example, can supply trusted advice on health factors that may affect the person’s driving. Caregivers can also serve as impartial outside parties in family discussions of the matter.

However you handle it, either as the driver in question, or as a family member, if warning signs exist, action is required. For the self-respect of the driver, their safety, and the safety of everyone else on the road, it’s an issue that should not be ignored.

Driving Reminders

Please don’t appear impaired before your time — look for “NO TURN ON RED” signs located at various controlled intersections. I was reminded of this shortcoming last week as I sat at such an intersection upon red indication, waiting to make a right turn, and was the target of repeated horn honks from the driver behind me. Please read, people.

Also, please remember that Washington’s law allows a left turn from a two-way street to a one-way street at a red light. Evidently, this law is little known, as about nine of 10 drivers I sit behind in this situation fail to execute the maneuver.