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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

On the road with older folks

Korky Vann Special to the Hartford Courant

It’s summer, and that means seniors across the country are taking to the road. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Household Travel Survey, nine of 10 summer getaways are car trips, and the average jaunt is 284 miles – each way. If you’re planning on getting behind the wheel, there are important steps to take before you leave to help ensure a safe journey.

First, be sure you and your car are in peak operating condition. “Most people will take the car in for a checkup before setting out on a road trip. But drivers of all ages should carefully assess their own ability, along with the ability of their vehicle, to handle long trips,” says Jim MacPherson, AAA spokesman.

As we age, physical changes happen gradually, so older drivers may not notice the impact on their driving abilities when traveling close to home. Longer journeys, MacPherson says, are another story. “Road trips present numerous variables such as navigating new routes, reading signs in unfamiliar areas and dealing with highway traffic,” MacPherson says. “Even routes you’ve driven many times can change, presenting unexpected challenges.”

Be sure your eyes are up to the drive. Age-related vision problems can be caused by diabetes, macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts. Certain medications also can cause blurred vision. Older drivers take longer to process and respond to visual information than younger drivers and require more time to adjust to sudden changes in light levels. Lighthouse International suggests that all elderly drivers have regular eye exams to maintain eye health and ensure that their ability to drive is not compromised by undetected vision loss.

Medical conditions, medications and slower reaction times also affect the ability to drive. Even mild arthritis in the hands, shoulders, ankles or feet can make it difficult to turn or control a car. Diabetics can experience decreased sensations in their feet, making it difficult to operate or even discern the difference between the gas and brake pedals.

“If your health has changed, you’ve started on new medications, you have decreased range of motion or vision or hearing loss, it’s crucial to check with your doctor to be sure you’re up to the effort,” MacPherson says.

Mature drivers who do get the green light to undertake an extended trip can minimize risks with careful planning, shorter driving days, dependable vehicles and frequent breaks, which are particularly important if the driver starts to feel sleepy.

“Car problems can be costly in terms of safety and money,” MacPherson says. “Many car crashes begin with a breakdown.”

The result can be life-threatening for older adults. Although drivers 70 and older are among the safest on the road, posting the highest seat-belt-use rates and the lowest rates of alcohol involvement, they suffer more serious injuries and fatalities when involved in a crash.

Pre-vacation car inspection should be performed by qualified automotive technicians and should include checks of the vehicle’s cooling system, brakes, steering and suspension, belts and hoses, battery, fluid levels, tires, exhaust, wipers, lights, gauges, seat belts and electrical and ignition systems and even horns and mirrors.

“Have them start with the tires and work their way up,” MacPherson says.

Cell phones – don’t forget to pull over before making a call – road-service memberships and global positioning systems can also help keep travelers safe. One of the newest gizmos on the market is an easy-to-operate combination medical alarm, GPS and cell phone. The SafeGuardian from Clayton Communications Inc., (www.safeguardian.com), contacts emergency assistance personnel at the touch of a large button on the front and the GPS system helps responders find callers unable to provide their location. Subscribers can request to be connected to anyone worldwide, store important information, such as contact names, telephone numbers and medical information for quick access, receive driving directions or request the location of any local business or facility including hospitals.