Responsible drivers make Leisure World a safer place to live

ROADWAY SAFETY

While many older adults value the independence of driving, changes that happen with age may alter a person’s ability to drive safely. People may notice driving becoming more difficult over time for themselves or for loved ones. Changes in health, including medical conditions or injuries, also may impact a person’s driving skills.

By The Numbers: Community Traffic Incidents From January-October of this year, GRF Security has responded to 63 traffic incidents. Of these incidents:

• 27 involved a moving vehicle colliding with a parked vehicle.

• 23 involved a moving vehicle and a fixed object like a fence, light post, pole, wall or gate barrier arm.

• 17 were hit and runs where the driver fled the scene.

• 3 involved golf carts or Low-Speed Vehicles.

• 4 resulted in injuries. Of those involved in accidents (both victims and at-fault drivers), 81 were residents, seven were guests, two were vendors, one was a GRF employee and six identities were unknown, often due to hit-and-run damage that was noticed after the incident occurred. What age-related health factors can affect driving ability?

Common health conditions and medication side effects may influence driving skills.

According to the National Institute on Aging, these include:

• Stiff joints and muscles. As people age, joints may get stiff and muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults,

Quick Fact:

Age-related factors can make driving more hazardous. These include changes in eyesight, hearing, re.exes and reaction times.

79% The percent of total vehicle incidents reported to Security in 2026 that involved a moving vehicle hitting something stationary, such as a parked vehicle or a light pole.

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might affect people’s ability to drive. These changes can make it harder to turn one’s head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely. If pain, stiffness, or arthritis seem to get in the way of driving, talk with a doctor. People with leg problems should consider getting hand controls for both the gas and brake pedals.

• Trouble seeing. Eyesight can change as people get older. It might be harder to see people, things and movement outside one’s direct line of sight. It may also take longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, people may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or streetlights can be a problem. Depending on the time of day, the sun might be blinding. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems. Those who are 60 or older should get a dilated eye exam from their eye doctor every one to two years. People who need glasses or contact lenses to see far away while driving should make sure their prescription is up to date and correct.

• Trouble hearing. As people grow older, hearing can change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens or even noises coming from their own car. These sounds warn drivers when they may need to pull over or get out of the way, or when there is a possible mechanical issue with one’s vehicle. People should have their hearing checked at least every three years after age 50 or more frequently if they have had chronic exposure to loud noises or other risk factors for hearing loss. Discuss these concerns with a doctor as treatments may help.

• Medications. Some medicines can make people feel drowsy, lightheaded or less alert than usual, which can make driving unsafe. Some drugs include a warning about driving, but even those that do not can have a negative effect. People should ask their doctor or pharmacist if any of their health problems or medications might make it unsafe to drive.

• Slower reaction time and reflexes. As people get older, refl exes might get slower, and drivers might not react as quickly as they could in the past. Stiff joints or weak muscles also can make it harder to move quickly. Loss of feeling or tingling in the fingers and feet can make it difficult to steer or use the foot pedals.

• Some medical conditions make it unsafe to drive. The uncontrollable movements and loss of coordination and balance due to Parkinson’s disease make it unsafe to drive. Similarly, many of the loss of control of limbs or other movement limitations following a stroke can mean it is no longer safe to drive.

Dementia and driving

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they will likely need to stop.

People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems. Family and friends must monitor the person’s driving ability and take action as soon as they observe a potential problem, such as forgetting how to find familiar places like the grocery store or even their home.

For more information on free, appointment-based memory screenings in Leisure World,

see page 16.

When it may be time to give up driving

It can be hard for some people to recognize or admit when it’s no longer safe to drive. Drivers can take emotion out of the equation by doing a selfassessment of their driving. Watch for these signs:

• Multiple vehicle crashes, near misses, or new dents or scrapes on the car.

• Two or more traffic tickets or warnings within the last two years.

• Increases in car insurance premiums because of driving issues.

• Comments from neighbors or friends about erratic, unsafe, or aggressive driving.

• Anxiety about driving at night.

• Health issues that might affect driving, including problems with vision, hearing, and movement. Those unsure about how conditions, medications or treatments might affect their driving should consult with their doctor.

• Complaints about the speed, sudden lane changes, or actions of other drivers.

• Recommendations from a doctor to modify driving habits or quit driving entirely.

For more information and research on the effects of aging, visit the National Institute on Aging website at www.nia. nih.gov.