ideas for older drivers to stay safer while

Ideas For Older Drivers To Stay Safer While Driving

I have been driving for over forty years and believe that I am a very safe driver.

I have not received a traffic ticket since 1987.

Yes, on the freeway I drive a few miles over the speed limit at times, but I maintain a safe following distance, yield to other drivers and

understand that trying to have it my way when driving only leads to frustration.

A lot has changed since I began driving.

Gas is now more than $3. 00 a gallon.

When I started driving, gas prices were 1/10th of that price.

Vehicle design has changed tremendously.

And technologically, the change in vehicle design and functionality has been enormous.

As drivers get older, they must also work to change as much as possible, so that driving

remains as safe as possible for them.

Older Drivers Benefit From Exercise And

Flexibility

One thing that is good for all of us is to get regular exercise.

Studies have shown that older drivers who exercise and stretch regularly are better able

to rotate their bodies and turn their heads while driving.

Checking our blind spots, backing up, making turns, scanning for traffic, all of these

things are much easier to do if our bodies are fit and flexible.

I have been wearing reading glasses now for about 10 years.

I do not wear glasses when I drive, but being able to see well while driving is essential.

Older drivers who need to wear glasses while driving should schedule appointments with an optometrist every few years to make sure that they are wearing glasses for driving

that have an up to date prescription.

The optometrist can also check for medical conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma, so that these issues, if present,

can be addressed.

Ongoing Education Helps Older Drivers

In Texas the state legislature meets every two years and inevitably passes several new

traffic laws during each session.

The truth is that most drivers do not know what most of these new traffic laws are until they get pulled over and the officer explains

that nature of their offense.

It would benefit older drivers to take a defensive driving course or an AARP Driver Safety Course every few years, so that they

can brush up on old laws and get introduced to new ones.

By taking a defensive driving course drivers receive a discount on their auto insurance and no matter what age you are that is a

good thing.

Regardless of what some people say, the majority of older drivers are some of the

safest drivers on the road and by following some of these ideas they can remain that

way for many years to come.