Join our #OlderDriverAwarenessWeek at #Lyndhurst Community Centre between 9.30am-3pm today. Day #2: Tips for safer driving Ageing does not mean a total loss of driving ability. There are many things you can do to improve and continue to drive safely, modify your car, the way you drive through assessments, and understanding and rectifying any physical issues that may interfere with your driving. 1.Take control of your health - Get your eye sight checked regularly. Once a year at least. Keep windscreens, mirrors, headlights clean. - Have your hearing checked annually. Be careful when opening windows, as drafts can impair hearing and stiffen your neck. - Talk to your doctor about aliments and medication, be sure they don’t affect your driving ability. - Get a good nights sleep. Rest is essential to driving well and being alert. 2. Find the right car or adapt your car Choose a car with automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes. An occupational therapist or certified driving rehabilitation specialist can prescribe equipment to make it easier to steer and operate the foot pedals, as well as get in and out of your vehicle. 3. Drive defensively Other road users are much more likely to be distracted these days by GPS, music, mobiles, which means you want to be extra cautious paying attention at junctions, leaving adequate space to others ahead, and keeping up with the traffic. 4. Know your limits If a driving situation makes you nervous or uncomfortable, then don’t do it. For expample you may decide during daylight only, if you have trouble seeing well in reduced light. Consider staying clear of motorways or dual carriageways if fast moving traffic worries you, or avoiding driving in bad weather. If you’re going somewhere unfamiliar, then plan ahead, it’ll give you confidence and avoid you getting lost. 5. Listen to the concerns of others If you’ve relatives or friends who talk about your driving with concern, it maybe time to take a hard look at your driving ability. 6. Self evaluation tools are available Brush up your skills on an driving assessment or refresher course talk to your doctor. They should be able to offer an opinion about your ability to drive safely, or refer you to a specialist. For more information visit olderdriversforum
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:01 +0000
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