[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/aging-family-member-give-up-driving\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/aging-family-member-give-up-driving\/","headline":"When Should an Aging Family Member Stop Driving?","name":"When Should an Aging Family Member Stop Driving?","description":"The natural aging process can make it harder for people to safely operate a car, increasing their chance of an getting into a serious car accident. For some people, continuing to drive at an advanced age puts themselves and others at risk for serious or life-threatening injuries. However, before asking an older family member to...","datePublished":"2020-12-04","dateModified":"2024-05-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/elderly-hands-on-car-steering-wheel-blog.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/elderly-hands-on-car-steering-wheel-blog.jpg","height":200,"width":300},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/aging-family-member-give-up-driving\/","about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":848,"keywords":["when an aging parent or family member should stop driving","when is it time to stop driving"],"articleBody":"The natural aging process can make it harder for people to safely operate a car, increasing their chance of an getting into a serious car accident. For some people, continuing to drive at an advanced age puts themselves and others at risk for serious or life-threatening injuries.However, before asking an older family member to consider handing over their car keys for good, it is important to understand what a difficult decision that is for them to make.Rizk Law shares some tips and resources that to help you decide when and how to discuss this issue with a loved one.Early Warning SignsIt is difficult to understand another\u2019s personal experience when driving, but there are early warning signs that may be visible to others when you ride with them. There are also some questions that can help determine whether another\u2019s driving skills \u2013 or your own – are in decline:Do you often feel nervous or even afraid while driving?Do you frequently find yourself getting lost?Do you struggle to stay in your lane when driving?Is it common for you to get scratches or other car dings from scraping fences, other cars, etc.Is it getting more difficult to see road signs or pavement markings?Has your reaction time to unexpected situations slowed? \u2013 such as braking to avoid a fender benderAre you required to take medication that blurs your vision or makes you sleepy or dizzy?Is it harder for you to judge gaps between cars or safe turning distances?Are you able to easily and quickly turn your head to check for cars around you?Is your peripheral vision good \u2013 can you see on either side of you when looking straight ahead?Do friends or relatives often say they do not want to ride with you when you drive?Have you had frequent \u201cnear misses\u201d for an accident lately?Are other drivers honking at you in anger for driving too slowly or making other mistakes on the road?Answering these questions honestly is difficult, particularly for an older driver. When bringing up this topic with an elderly family member, it is important to remember that for them, this means giving up much of their independence.What Other Factors May Impede Driving Skills?In addition to a decline in vision, reaction time and physical changes, the onset of some medical conditions may also make it unsafe for an older adult to continue driving:CataractsMacular DegenerationDementiaAlzheimer\u2019s DiseaseSerious heart conditionsDiabetes, when complicated by hypoglycemiaSevere forms of arthritisLoss of hearingAnd moreA thorough medical examination may help further clarify whether you or a family member should consider giving up driving. There are also various driver screening measures that you can take advantage of to get an objective opinion about driving abilities. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) even offers an online Fitness-to-Drive Screening to get a more private initial assessment.Dangers of Continuing to Drive When You No Longer ShouldAccording to recent research from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), older drivers may be especially at risk for causing a fatal accident:On dark roads where there are no streetlightsAt night, dawn, dusk or other times when visibility is lowIn bad weather, such as rain, snow or icy conditionsAt any intersectionODOT reports that about 40 percent of fatal accidents caused by elderly drivers happen at intersections.It is critical to help an aging parent, friend or family member understand that if they continue to drive, they are putting themselves and others at risk for a serious or fatal accident. Additionally, if they cause an accident, they may be held liable for the damages.Making a Smart TransitionWhen there is no other alternative but to give up the car keys, there are steps that can help make the transition a little smoother:Have the conversation in a private place, where it is quietSchedule a time when your family member is well-rested and calmAvoid being confrontational and listen compassionately to your family member\u2019s fears and concerns \u2013 it is unrealistic to expect an immediate and positive responseHelp your aging family member to research and get the factsWork together to create a plan and discuss alternativesWhen an aging family member feels that he or she is being heard and has a say in transitioning to a non-driving status, he or she may feel less threatened by the decision.Reaching Out for Legal Help When Injured in an AccidentAt Rizk Law, we are available to provide legal help when you have been injured in a car accident caused by another\u2019s negligence.Contact our firm anytime, day or night, to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers in Portland. This is an excellent opportunity to learn if you may have legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses.There is no obligation to hire our firm and no upfront costs if we represent you. We do not get paid until you do."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"When Should an Aging Family Member Stop Driving?","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/aging-family-member-give-up-driving\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]