The older we get, the more physical health challenges we may face. Most of those challenges will do doubt interfere with driving. Even if you aren't an elder yourself, you may still have parents or grandparents that need your care. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should bring more awareness to these safe driving tips.
DRIVING TIPS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Always seat belt first. All of us know that buckling is an enforced law in the US. If you catch a loved one forgetting to buckle, please remind them to do so. If the seat belt is uncomfortable, adjust the shoulder mount or look into buying a pad that slips over the strap.
Understand and read your medications. As health is sometimes compromised as you get older, medications also become a part of your daily routine. Some prescriptions can make you feel sleepy, less alert and can severely affect your reaction time. However, medicines may warn on their labels to avoid driving after a particular time after taking the drug. Be sure to read and know the medications you're taking before hitting the road.
Drive during daylight as much as possible. The nighttime is a more dangerous time to drive as the darkness impairs our eyesight. General darkness and glare from oncoming vehicles make it much more challenging to see, especially for individuals with eye problems.
Avoid driving during rush hour. Rush hour traffic can be overwhelming and stressful. If you live in a populated area, try to restrict driving to when traffic is lighter. It'll make your driving experience safer for those that are older.
Adopt safer routes. Minimize your driving on the highway, especially ones with complicated ramps and many lanes. A freeway is a dangerous route for senior citizens to take because of the significantly higher speed limits, merge lanes, and higher volume in traffic. Accidents are also more prone to happen on the highway, and they tend to be more severe. Try to find an alternative route to take to get to your destination. Sometimes it's better to go a little out of your way to avoid the difficulty of driving on the interstate.
The last tip is to make sure your senior is operating a safe, inspected vehicle. No matter what age you are, your vehicle should always be serviced and taken in for maintenance routinely. At Auto Centric, we have experienced mechanics who can ensure your safety is optimized after each service.