Senior Driving Tips
1. Buy The Right Car
- Don't think bigger is safer. A medium-sized car is best because it's easier to maneuver.
- "Test drive," seek easy-to-see gauges and easy-to-grasp controls.
- Sit with shoulders level with the top of the steering wheel and breastbone at least 10 inches away from the airbag.
- A steering wheel that tilts helps drivers find a safe, comfortable position.
- Choose vehicles with height-adjustable seats.
- Skip tinted windows that can reduce low-light vision.
- Make sure the car has ABS brakes, head restraints and air bags. These features aren't luxuries - they're necessities.
- For people with hip problems, consider leather seats - they're easier to maneuver on than cloth.
2. Stay Active, Stay Fit
- Studies have shown that exercise can slow down the aging process and help reactions stay sharp. Higher levels of fitness among older drivers correspond to better driver skills. •Flexibility permits drivers to move their entire body and all their joints more freely in order to observe the road from all angles.
- Stay mentally active. Use problem solving skills in non-driving ways can help mental flexibility - including activities like jigsaw puzzles or crosswords.
Neck Flexibility
- Helps prevent fatigue while driving
- Allows for looking over the shoulder to check for blind spots
- Makes parallel parking easier
- Assists in backing the car
- Stay mentally active. Use problem solving skills in non-driving ways can help mental flexibility - including activities like jigsaw puzzles or crosswords.
Shoulder Flexibility
- Prevents fatigue
- Makes steering easier
- Makes backing easier
- Makes mirror checking easier
Trunk Flexibility
- Makes backing easier
- Helps in making adjustments on the dash
- Helps in looking to the side or back
- Beneficial for parallel parking
Back Flexibility
- Makes backing easier
- Assists in making adjustments to mirrors
- Assists in picking up objects from the floor or seat of the vehicle
- Improves parallel parking agility
3. Limit The Distractions
- Turn off the radio and keep chatter with passengers to a minimum.
- Keep cell phone use to emergencies only. If you must use the phone, pull off to a safe location.
4. Make The Right Turn
- Left hand turns frequently result in crashes for mature drivers. Exercise awareness when turning left and try to use intersections that have left-turn signals or stop signs.
- When waiting at a left turn signal, keep your front tires facing straight, as opposed to angling them to the left. This way, if bumped from behind, the car will head straight, as opposed to heading into oncoming traffic.
5. 4-Second Following Rule
- Older drivers have the advantage of driving experience, but their reaction time is slowed. Allow a greater distance between you and the vehicle ahead to have plenty of time to stop.
- Determining the 4-second following distance: While driving, choose a distant roadside object. When the car ahead passes that object, start counting. Stop counting when your car reaches that object. If there's 4 seconds or more between vehicles, you're following at a safe distance.