For millions of people, life has either come, or is about to begin to come, full circle.  The point where children begin to worry about their parents, where they have to make sometimes difficult decisions, and where they wrestle daily or lay awake at night debating options, planning communication, and preparing for discussions.  This is not a time to be fearful - it is a time to honor our Seniors.  This is what parents do for their kids - what they did for you - through all of life's challenges and turns in the road.  This is simply a changing of the guards as the torch of caring is passed from parent to child.

Senior Driving Data

With the Baby Boomer generation aging, the number of senior drivers has been increasing in the United States in recent years.  According to a report conducted in 2006 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some 30 million people over the age of 65 were licensed drivers in the United States.  This is about 15 percent of all licensed U.S. drivers.

Sadly, the same report also found that more than 6,000 people who were 65 and over died while driving an automobile in 2006.  That's about 14 percent of all people killed in car accidents that year.  Eighty percent of accidents involving drivers over 65 years of age occured in daytime.  It is estimated that by 2030 Baby Boomers (age 65 or older) will be responsible for 25% of all traffic accidents.

One of the biggest reasons for these statistics is that elderly drivers, unlike teen drivers, are much less likely to survive crash injuries.  This is why it's so important to talk to your senior family members and loved ones about driving safety and, when it's time, about putting away the keys and seeking alternatives to driving.

When is the right time?

This answer is specific to your Senior Driver.  There is no blanket answer because each loved one is unique and there are numerous contributing factors.

When your Senior Driver starts experiencing a decline in vision, hearing loss, increased medication intake, increased reaction times, and impaired physical mobility, it might be time to talk about decreasing their driving activity.  Tell-tale signs include not signaling when changing lanes or turning, not using mirrors because of required body movements, constant braking and acceleration, confusing the brake and gas pedals, trouble with directions, frequently getting lost, and generally slow reflexes.

This is probably one of the most sensitive subjects children will need to face with respect to their senior parents.  Many drivers will naturally fear the possible loss of independence that giving up driving might entail.  It is absolutely vital that this is not a one-time discussion where drastic action is taken without presenting supporting data and explaining what the decision criteria is well in advance.  It is important to their self-respect and your honoring them that continued conversations about driving safety are initiated early on, before it is too late.

Discussing Safety and Driving Alternatives

The whole family should be involved in these types of conversations, but it is important that one person be the primary communicator with others taking supporting roles.  Speak with your senior driver respectfully and be aware of their concerns.  Pick a family member they trust to lead the discussion.

Encourage your senior driver to take refresher courses, and to get frequent physical check-ups.  Offer to drive them whenever they need it, and reassure them that this is not a burden. Some seniors will prefer relying on public transportation, which is another thing you should discuss.  Remember, the more loved ones you can involve in the discussion, the easier it will be.  And remember to always be considerate and respectful.

PlateTXT can HELP!

PlateTXT realizes there is equal (if not more) importance placed on our nation's senior drivers as there is on our nation's teenage drivers.  Senior Drivers want to maintain their freedom and independence as much as (if not more) teenage drivers want to seize their freedom through driving.

The PlateTXT Senior Safe Driving Program helps the families of senior drivers learn more about their loved one's driving habits even when they're not physically with them.  Our program provides a monitoring tool that in conjunction with doctor's advice, DMV testing, personal discussions, etc.. gives you supporting data for on-going, loving discussions concerning safe driving habits.

Family members can recieve close to real-time feedback about their senior driver via private mobile messaging or email to see what others are saying about their loved one's activity on the roads.

If you and family have decided to help your senior driver while they are on the road, contact us today and sign-up for our Senior Awareness Driving Program.