How Age Affects Your Driving
For many Americans, driving is a key factor in maintaining our independence as we age. In fact, it is a rite of passage when we go from our young childhood to our teenage years and into adulthood. It is important to be aware, however, that our driving abilities change as we get older, particularly when we start entering our golden years.
While there is no exact cut off as to when someone should stop driving because we are all different, older adults are at a higher risk of receiving traffic citations and getting into accidents as compared to their younger counterparts. Several factors contribute to this increased risk including impaired hearing, decreased vision, worsening health, and slowed motor reflexes.
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Florida Safety Tips for Older Drivers
While aging can affect your driving, it does not necessarily mean you have to give it up altogether. There are many things you can do to keep you safe on the road and still keep you in the driver’s seat. Some safety tips for older drivers include:
- Modifying your car so that it adapts to your needs as you age
- Changing the way you drive, the time of day, and your destination so that you stay safe
- Getting your vision checked every year and making sure corrective lenses have current prescriptions
- Having your hearing checked annually and wearing your hearing aids while driving, if necessary
- Getting plenty of good quality rest to keep you alert on the road
- Talking with your doctor about any conditions or prescription medications that may affect your ability to drive
- Staying off of the freeway and highways and avoiding other fast-moving vehicle traffic
- Not getting behind the wheel when there is bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, storms, etc.)
Aside from keeping up with your health and vehicle, there are defensive driving tips you can follow, including:
- Paying close attention all around you at busy (and not so busy) intersections
- Leaving enough space between you and the car in front of you
- Making sure you are driving within (and up to) the speed of traffic
- Avoiding distractions while driving like GPS systems, cell phones, and other tasks; and
- Giving yourself enough time and space to stop in light of the weather and time of day
While there is no exact cut off as to when someone should stop driving… older adults are at a higher risk of receiving traffic citations and getting into accidents as compared to their younger counterparts.
Car Accident Attorneys in Melbourne
The state of Florida is a place where many people, both Americans and foreigners, come to retire. As such, there are more and more elderly people on the state’s roads and highways. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact the Brevard County personal injury attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns today for a free car accident consultation.
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NOTICE: The article above is not intended to serve as legal advice, and you should not rely on it as such. It is offered only as general information. You should consult with a duly licensed attorney regarding your Florida legal matter, as every situation is unique. Please know that merely reading this article, subscribing to this blog, or otherwise contacting Bogin, Munns & Munns does not establish an attorney-client relationship with our firm. Should you seek legal representation from Bogin, Munns & Munns, any such representation must first be agreed to by the firm and confirmed in a written agreement.
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