Driving & Elders Each of human beings ages differently. Some drivers are able to drive safely at the age of 80 as they were at 40, while others should stop driving at 65. There are a variety of factors affecting an older drivers safety on the road. Driving is a highly complex task, and it requires both physical and mental activities. All activities should be harmonized in order to response various road conditions. As human beings age, they have to face with a variety of physical changes. Vision deterioration is the most significant physical change that occurs with aging. Through activity of light receptors in the eyes, we are able to see. As we age, the eyes of older drivers gradually become insensitive to light. Furthermore, the eyes require more time to refocus from one object to another object. That means, it takes more time to shift attention from task of checking the instrument panel of the automobile to task of front-observing. The eyes of older drivers are more vulnerable to glare too. On that account, recovery time for regaining normal sight after exposure to intense light is relatively longer than drivers of other age groups. Besides, peripheral vision, depth perception and color perception can be occurred due to aging process. There is a possibility that older drivers may experience difficulty in distinguishing red lights from yellow lights or brake lights from running lights. They may suffer from disorders such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma too. All of these factors contribute to difficulty in reading essential road signs, conducting prompt response to complex traffic conditions, and judging distance between automobiles or pedestrians and speed of vehicles accurately and properly. Another remarkable function accompanied by the aging process is hearing. Hearing plays an important role in conducting safe driving. It enables driver response promptly to sirens of emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles and sound of horns from other vehicles on the road which warns dangers or mistakes to prevent traffic accidents. Most people over the age of 65 have some degree of hearing loss. As we age, that number goes up rapidly. Motor skills are also associated with age. Muscles are debilitating continuously, response time of reflexes is getting longer, and flexibility of the body decreases too. All these factors hinder older drivers in conducting various tasks for safe and proper driving activity. Besides, arthritis which is very common disorder among elder people makes them experience serious difficulties in quick and fluid motion and maneuverability. On the other hand, besides various physical signs of aging, mental problems also occur as we age. Above all problems, the most evitable issue is slower cognitive reaction time. Older drivers need more time to process incoming stimuli than drivers of other age groups. Also, majority of them suffer from drowsiness caused by use of medication, confusion and disorientation caused by mild dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is a serious problem that some older drivers do not recognize that they are not capable of safe driving because they cannot distinguish signs of cognitive degeneration caused by aging from symptoms of mild dementia and mild Alzheimer’s. Naturally, the patient of moderate or severe dementia and Alzheimer’s should refrain from driving in order to protect themselves and other people on the road. Those who suffer from the physical or mental problems or both may on medications to relieve the symptoms of disease and disorders. Some medications can interfere with driving activity by causing drowsiness or confusion, and slowing reaction time. These undesirable side effects can cause dangerous situations on the road. As aging process continues, older drivers tend to be involved in a multi-car accident in comparison with drivers of other age groups. Recognizing the signs of danger and exerting voluntary efforts to prevent any possible risk is the first step to take in preventing the issue of older drivers on the road. Actually, many older drivers are good drivers and sometimes they are much better in safe driving. But some older drivers are not. Warning signs which older drivers and their family members and friends should consider as follows; Nervousness, fear, and other excessive emotional change while driving Difficulty in comprehending and recognizing traffic signs and signals Overwhelming fatigue after driving Confusing the function of pedals (Gas and brake) Frequent confusion of current location Difficulty in exiting from a highway Sudden and reckless lane changing Increasing number of minor collision and near-accident Uneasiness of fellow passengers Maybe the most reasonable action on the issue of driving and old age should be the combination of enhance physical examination and driving examination specialized for older drivers. Also, the role of family doctors cannot be ignored. They are in a good position to observe one’s ability to conduct a safe driving and judge physical and mental condition of older drivers. If someone is not capable of conducting a safe driving, his family doctor should inform it to relevant authorities like DMV. This is not a matter of faith and loyalty but matter of safety which is closely related with the public safety.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 07:58:09 +0000
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