Driving is fun. It gives seniors the irreplaceable high of being independent and mobile. It clearly defines their personality and gives them freedom to go places anytime they want to. Driving makes them feel connected and involved within their society.

But then again driving, whether seniors admit it or not, can be bothersome at times. This is especially true if some health impairment gets in the way. Although these impairments may not occur very often and can be quite manageable at times, still it poses great risk to senior drivers which could be struck unprepared anytime.

Some of seniors’ driving difficulties include:
·    Vision impairment or eye problem
·    Hearing impairment or hearing loss
·    Side effects of medications
·    Impaired reflex action and range of motion
·    Mental impairment

Having one or a combination of two impairments mentioned above is already dangerous for you and your community and it can also be used to revoke your license– that is if you still have one.

This is especially important to note since driving requires your senses to be active and not drowsing off. There are street signs and road intersections that you should be aware of when driving. Also, hearing is very important because there are sounds and cues you need to hear so you can avoid street accidents. While it is not recommended for seniors to be driving around especially if they are not too fit to drive anymore, we couldn’t help but do so. So here are some tips to make your driving bearable until the time we have to surrender our keys to capable hands.

1.    There are special driving aids made especially for seniors so you should take advantage of it as much as possible. Also, if your car is giving you a hard time then you should ditch it for something compact and driver-friendly. Pick one that has automatic transmission so you don’t have to worry about shifting gears.
2.    As much as possible, drive short distances only and use familiar roads. This will prevent confusion and long-driving accidents on your part.
3.    Drive during the day when there is enough light to guide you and try not to use roads that requires fast driving cars such as highways and freeways.
4.    Be conscious enough of others when driving. If you need to drive slowly then take the slow lane so you won’t get in anybody’s way.
5.    Do not get behind the wheels if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking prescribed medication. This happens and it is dangerous if you still try to drive in this condition.

If you insist on driving, it is best to consult your doctor first especially if you are already experiencing frequent near-collisions and missed turns due to poor eye sight or your joints are already stiffening behind the wheels. It is not bad to try to solve the problem first. Moreover, if you somehow feel that your medications are affecting your way of life, ask your health care provider to change it for you before it results to unavoidable accident.