Driving is a privilege that requires responsibility, especially as we age or face health challenges. While many drivers remain confident behind the wheel, it’s important to know how to stay safe and when it’s time to consider alternatives.
Preparing ahead, being mindful of your health, and paying attention to warning signs can help you maintain safety for both yourself and others on the road. Here’s a guide on how to keep driving safely and when to know it might be time to switch to other means of transportation.
Be Prepared: Consider Alternate Transportation Options
If you’re concerned about potential driving issues or want to plan ahead, consider trying out alternative transportation options like buses, taxis, or personal drivers. You can even try shuttle buses or carpooling. Testing out these options with a friend who already uses them can help you decide which one best suits your needs and gives you peace of mind for the future.
How to Keep Driving Safely
There are simple steps you can take to ensure your safety behind the wheel, whether it’s keeping your health in check, maintaining your vehicle, or being cautious while driving.
Vision
- Schedule regular eye exams: Keep track of your eye health and make sure your vision is up to standard.
- Update prescription glasses: If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure your prescription is current to help with driving clarity.
- Increase brightness on the instrument panel: This helps you easily read your vehicle’s dashboard, especially in low-light conditions.
- Clean your windshield and headlights: Keeping them clear ensures better visibility.
- Replace faulty windshield wipers: Wipers are essential for driving in rainy weather.
Health
- Schedule regular medical exams: Regular check-ups can help detect health problems that might affect your driving ability.
- Talk to your doctor: Ask questions about any conditions that might impact your driving and if physical therapy could improve your ability to drive.
Vehicle
- Choose a car with safety features: Consider a vehicle that has automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and an easy-to-read instrument panel.
Avoid Distractions
- Reduce noise and distractions: Limit conversations while driving, lower the radio volume, and reduce the fan for the air conditioning or heater to stay focused.
Use Extra Caution
- Avoid driving in bad weather: Rain, snow, and fog can make driving more difficult, so stay off the road when conditions are poor.
- Check traffic when changing lanes: Always make sure it’s safe before moving over.
- Look before backing up: Ensure the area is clear before reversing.
- Use signals, mirrors, and your horn: Always signal your intentions and use mirrors to stay aware of your surroundings.
- Plan ahead: If possible, choose easier routes, avoid rush hours, and limit driving at night.
Practice Your Driving Skills
- Assess your abilities: Take a driving test to check how safe your driving is.
- Take a course: Sharpen your skills and learn new strategies by enrolling in a defensive driving course or a refresher course.
If you’re starting to feel uncertain, it might be a good idea to transition gradually to other modes of transportation, such as riding the bus, using ride-sharing services, or asking family members for help.
Warning Signs You Might Need to Reassess Your Driving
There are certain signs that may indicate it’s time to reconsider your driving habits or seek help. These include:
- Trouble recognizing traffic signs or signals: If you’re having difficulty seeing or interpreting road signs, it could be a sign that you need to take action.
- Not hearing emergency sirens: If you’re not hearing sirens or other important sounds from emergency vehicles, it may be a sign of hearing loss or other concerns.
- Feeling out of sync with traffic: If you feel that everyone else is driving too fast or too slow, or if you’ve had several close calls or near-misses recently, it could be an indication that you need to reassess your driving.
- Physical difficulty driving: Struggling to move your foot between the gas and brake pedals, turning your head to check for other vehicles, or taking medications that cause drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion can impact your driving.
- Getting easily confused or angry while driving: If you often forget familiar routes or feel frustrated and confused behind the wheel, it may be a signal that something’s wrong.
- Exhaustion after driving: If driving leaves you feeling unusually tired, it may be a sign that your driving ability is being compromised.
What is a Special Examination?
In Alaska, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the authority to conduct a reexamination of a driver’s ability if a written request is made by law enforcement, family members, physicians, or others. To maintain your driving privileges, you may be required to undergo the following tests:
- Vision test: A basic eye exam to ensure you can see clearly while driving.
- Written test: A test to assess your knowledge of road signs and traffic laws.
- Road skills test: A practical test to evaluate your ability to drive safely.
Additionally, if a physician recommends it, you may be required to have an evaluation or training at a certified rehabilitation center. The DMV may request a release from the center before allowing you to resume driving.
Driving safely involves more than just knowing how to operate a vehicle. Regular check-ups on your health, your vision, and your vehicle’s condition are essential to maintaining a safe driving experience. If you notice any warning signs that your ability to drive may be compromised, consider alternatives or even re-evaluating your driving habits.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to be proactive and prepared by exploring other transportation options early on. The goal is to stay safe on the road for as long as possible, ensuring the safety of both yourself and others.
