Staying Safe on the Road: 10 Safety Tips for Senior Drivers

While a person may feel years younger than they actually are, the unfortunate truth is that driving becomes more dangerous the older you get. In fact, according to the CDC, drivers over 70 have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than middle-aged drivers. This is a direct result of increased vulnerability to injury in the event of a crash. 

Due to this higher probability for injury, staying safe as an elderly driver must always be a top priority. While some tips for safe driving stay the same regardless of your age, others are directly attributed to a rising age. Consider the following 10 tips to keep yourself protected on the road:

10 Tips for Older Drivers to Stay Safe

1. Limit your distractions
   At any age, distractions can take your focus off of the road and lead to car accidents. Put all smartphones away, set up your music, and finish your food before hitting the gas pedal. Additionally, when actively driving on the road you may find things that distract your eyes. If you witness a car accident, for example, avoid rubber-necking which can lead to another accident. Instead, focus on the road to pull over safely before seeing if you can help. 
2. Avoid driving at night
   No matter how you look at it, driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day due to reduced visibility. In fact, 50% of all traffic deaths occur at night despite the fact that only one quarter of all driving happens at night. As humans begin to age reaction time and eyesight both generally begin to decline which can make night driving far more dangerous. 
3. Rethink taking certain routes
   Highways and high traffic roads can become difficult for aging drivers to navigate. Before ever leaving your house, plan your route ahead of time to ensure you don’t end up on a road that will put you in a dangerous situation. Even if a route you’re planning will take you longer than a straight-shot, it’s better to be safe on the road. 
4. Always wear a seatbelt
   Regardless of your age, wearing a seatbelt is an absolute must when hitting the open road. The data on seatbelts is overwhelming and proves without a doubt that they save lives. As you begin to age and become more prone to injury, wearing your seatbelt becomes even more important than it already is. Even if you’re going for a two minute drive around the block, make the choice to buckle in and follow the law. 
5. Avoid driving in bad weather conditions
   Bad weather conditions can lead to highly reactive driving. For aging drivers, this can present a problem. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, consider rescheduling your plans or asking someone else to take you wherever you need to go. 
6. Don’t drink and drive
   Another tip that should be followed regardless of your age, never get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking. Even after a single drink, older drivers tend to show higher levels of impairment compared to younger drivers. While the safest amount of drinks to have before getting behind the wheel is always none, it’s more dangerous for older drivers to drink even if they’ve only had a small amount. 
7. Get your vehicle inspected
   Older drivers should routinely have their vehicle inspected for damage and to just have fluids replaced under the hood. This can help to prevent mechanical breakdowns that may occur on the road which would put a person in the potential position to get into a car accident. 
8. Have your eyes checked by a doctor yearly
   Nobody wants to be unable to drive anymore but sometimes a person’s eyes get to the point where it becomes a risk for everybody. On a yearly basis, get your eyes checked by a doctor to make sure that it is safe for you and other drivers if you are out on the road. Driving when you shouldn’t be can result in serious legal consequences and the rescinding of your driver’s license. 
9. Follow a regular activity program
   Physical activity may not be the first thing that comes to mind when imagining how to be safer out on the road, but it’s quite important. Regular physical activity can help keep both your mind and body sharp, improving your reaction time and overall awareness. These two factors are crucial when driving on the road, so be sure to get regular physical exercise as you age. 
10. Leave a large follow distance between cars
    Finally, leave more space than you normally would between vehicles as you begin to age. Reduced visibility and slowed reaction times are a dangerous combination, but leaving a gap between your vehicles and others can mitigate this risk. On top of this, don’t be afraid to drive a little slower so long as you are not interrupting the flow of traffic. 

General Additional Tips for Safe Driving

​All of the above tips are excellent ways to be a safer driver on the road, regardless of your age. To that end, here are some additional safe driving tips to keep in mind:

Consider investing in extended warranty, if your warranty is expired, to cover maintenance and repair costs
Maintain proper hand positions on the wheel
Keep a safety kit in the back of your vehicle at all times
Drive defensively, but be prepared to move offensively in a safe manner
Don’t multitask, no matter how good at it you think you are

Car crashes are extremely common, with a 16-year high having occurred in recent history. Learning how to drive safely on the road has never been more important, regardless of your age. Use all of the above tips to help prevent a car accident and to be a better all-around driver.

Increase your safety on the road by being prepared

Facing the results of aging can be extremely frustrating, but acknowledging your limitations is important for driving safely on the road. Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you need to stop driving, it just means you need to be more aware of everything around you. Take preventative action by getting your vehicle inspected, as well as your eyes, and plan your routes ahead of time. If you are in a car accident, assess yourself for injuries before focusing on exchanging information with other drivers. ​