Signs Your Loved One Should Stop Driving

In Singapore, your driver’s licence does not expire until you reach 65 years old. Drivers who turn 65 are required to undergo a medical examination to assess their fitness to drive and a doctor has to sign off before you can renew your driver’s licence. Every three years after that you will need a repeat medical examination to again renew your driver’s licence.

Driving as a form of commute is a symbol of mobility and independence for seniors and the process of telling them to stop driving could affect their self esteem and confidence. Here, we cover what are the signs that your loved one should stop driving and how you can approach this conversation. 

Here are some signs that caregivers should be keeping a lookout for:

Getting lost on roads they used to be familiar with 

Age related dementia could cause progressive decline in one’s memory and alertness on the road. If your loved one starts getting confused, takes the wrong turns on roads they are typically familiar with, it could be a sign that driving may be dangerous for both themselves and other users of the road. 

Getting frequent honks from other users of the road 

As one ages, reaction time also wanes. One might not be able to respond as quickly as they used to. Trouble with vision and hearing also impedes driving and these in turn affect reaction time. While driving on busy roads, this reaction time and alertness becomes all the more imperative to prevent accidents. An aged driver might be less able to respond in time if another car suddenly swerves into the lane. As a result of this, one might get honks and stares from other road users. 

Difficulty toggling between the break and gas pedal 

Other medical conditions like arthritis could also impede safe driving. Age related physical changes include a drop in strength levels, discomfort in joints and also the effect of certain medications could make driving very much a dangerous endeavour. One might not have the strength they used to exert on the pedals and this could cause deadly road accidents. 

How to approach the conversation

Having to ask a loved one to stop driving is not an easy conversation as it could be seen as robbing them of their independence. This could potentially sour relations.

Approach the conversation with empathy, be encouraging and supportive. Be sure to communicate to your loved one that you only wish the best for them. Also make sure this conversation is 2 way, hearing their concerns and feelings on this. Lifestyle changes can also be gradually incorporated. Perhaps start off by offering to accompany them on drives even if it is to locations that they are familiar with. Slowly, start offering to take the wheel. 

Avoid starting off the conversation by demanding they stop driving because they would be road hazards when driving as this would hurt their self esteem and confidence.