I've been teaching my Road Safety for Seniors course at Elder College since the early 2000s. I think that the main interest of the students is in keeping their driver's licenses as long as possible. I'm surprised that it took me a long time to realize that I needed a module concerning deciding to stop driving.
We Will All Stop Driving Sometime
It's inevitable. At some point in our life we will be faced with the decision to end our driving career. If we're lucky, we will have time to ease into that transition by planning ahead.
Surrendering Your Driver's Licence
Surrendering our driver's licence will be a life changing event. We see driving as a symbol of independence and freedom. It gives us the ability to live comfortably in rural and suburban areas while still being able to access the places that are important to us.
It's a Negative Life Event
Losing our ability to drive is a negative life event. It impacts our lifestyle, physical and mental health and sense of self worth. It can even increase the possibility of being place in an institution.
Minimizing Your Stress
The key elements to minimize stress are planning and timing. If you have to downsize and move closer to services, think about the walk score when you move to a new residence. This is an indication of whether you can walk to the services you require or not.
Using Community Resources
Discover and test community resources that you can use to travel without driving a vehicle. This could include public transit, keeping your car and having someone drive you, ride sharing and using the services of community volunteer groups.
A Sudden Change Forces the Decision
Sometimes we don't get to choose the end of our driving career. A sudden illness could dictate that we stop driving. If this does happen, recognize that it is normal to experience grief.
It will take time to work through your feelings but it is possible to move forward and enjoy life without driving.
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As an individual who spent over 40 years in the driver education and training field, I must applaud the article that was included on Senior Drivers. It covered the social issues of rural transportation, seniors' isolation and how public safety is compromised by the inadequacies of the DMER approach. I am going to turn 79 this year and next year I will enter this process.
Dr. Hildebrand's comments are particularly relevant in this regard. I remember personally listening to him over the years. We disregard the research at our peril.
I took part in a previous iteration of seniors' driver testing, i.e. doing actual road tests on individuals who had a negative DMER report and failed the computerized hazard recognition test. This was a scary process for our staff as most of those individuals truly did not have the necessary physical and mental skills for safe control of their vehicles.
This is a societal issue where we have created a right to drive without adequate safety limitations. It should not be based just on age. We should have a driver review every 5 years and re-test everyone whose record is inadequate or exhibits irresponsible behaviours. Then we could build an expectation of positive performance over the years.
However, this will require our politicians, bureaucrats and insurance administrators to accept responsibility and accountability for maintaining these standards. Otherwise, tragedies will continue to occur, and our health care system and families will continue to bear the burden of our lackadaisical approach to public safety.
I used to ask Ministers of the Crown how high the body count had to go before they would take action. they usually were offended, but I rest my case. Safety just isn't a priority until they are personally impacted.
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I have always admired my parents, particularly my mother, for making the decision to voluntarily giving up license, before the choice was taken away from them. Hope this daughter is as smart! Time will tell...
Dad’s health started to decline and when he had a car accident which could have caused injury to a young lady, he decided it was time.
Mum always hated driving (I never knew this) so after Dad passed away and she moved into a condo, she purchased within walking distance of her Doctor and shopping. When she was going to turn 80, she told us “I am giving up my license and selling the car on my 80th birthday”. And she did. It was her present to herself. She lived to age 92, never regretted her decision. Walked every where and the family rallied around her and took her shopping for heavy stuff.
At 75, not sure I will be ready to give up driving at 80, but then who knows. Traffic is getting so much worse and have to admit I find myself a bit more nervous on the roads, so time will tell if I will be a smart daughter!
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My Experience