When to stop driving autos

[chopped]

Denwa very good points. as are the others on here. I think on individual case its quite related. My dad doesn't want to stop driving. I accept that I cant force him , I do however express my opinion strongly.His recent accidents, remind me so much of when my kids were learning to drive , well they got the license but would do things like tear the front bumper and nose off on a guard rail and then bring it home for me to do my magic with duck tape and my favorite drywall screws. Maybe thats why i feel like its repeating .
In my case he had a stroke 4 years ago and amazingly recovered. But it still causes some vision perferal problems and as well as some times not thinking quickly.
I compare it to the computer.
its called LAG. Ask it something and it hesitates but finally gets the point.
Interestingly I have spoken to several friends about this. I'm in the USA but these friends are in other country's like the Philippines.They seem to just say have him move in with you and whats the problem with accepting that you cant drive anymore. That got me to thinking of what a nation we are. Almost like to accept and give up driving is not American.
Also It sounds nice to say when the time comes I will hang it up. I also say that now. (I'm 53). But my dad said that as little as 5 years ago. But any number of things can change that, ie, stroke etc.And even if offered, some are so stubborn not accept the offers to drive them anywhere..

 

[TripleR]

Denwa very good points. as are the others on here. I think on individual case its quite related. My dad doesn't want to stop driving. I accept that I cant force him , I do however express my opinion strongly.His recent accidents, remind me so much of when my kids were learning to drive , well they got the license but would do things like tear the front bumper and nose off on a guard rail and then bring it home for me to do my magic with duck tape and my favorite drywall screws. Maybe thats why i feel like its repeating .
In my case he had a stroke 4 years ago and amazingly recovered. But it still causes some vision perferal problems and as well as some times not thinking quickly.
I compare it to the computer.
its called LAG. Ask it something and it hesitates but finally gets the point.
Interestingly I have spoken to several friends about this. I'm in the USA but these friends are in other country's like the Philippines.They seem to just say have him move in with you and whats the problem with accepting that you cant drive anymore. That got me to thinking of what a nation we are. Almost like to accept and give up driving is not American.
Also It sounds nice to say when the time comes I will hang it up. I also say that now. (I'm 53). But my dad said that as little as 5 years ago. But any number of things can change that, ie, stroke etc.And even if offered, some are so stubborn not accept the offers to drive them anywhere..

We went through something similar with my father in law and he died while driving the tractor. Had he been in his truck, he may well have killed someone.

I was a passenger in a car when we wrecked and I was in a hospital for almost five months. I have never been comfortable riding with anyone since then, but I have started letting someone else drive in large cities. When one of my sons is with me in our conversion van or truck, I have no problem letting them drive. Like I said, I am still able to drive without problems, but I am looking to the day when I am not and will have no trouble turning in my keys. It will be a sad day, but I can't live with the thought of killing or injuring someone.

 

[buck12]

Everyone is talking about older drivers but what about young drivers? Like the stupid college kid that hit my wife's parked car while she and my daughter were loading groceries. The kid pulled in the parking place in front of her and got out of the car only he did not put the transmission in park. The kid called his Dad. The Dad apologized and told my wife the kid had another wreck a couple months before.

 

[Mace Canute]

"They can have my keys when they pry them from my cold, dead hand!"

Just kidding!

This (and other issues) will someday all too soon become more than just conjecture for me...I'm 59 and have always been a very solitary, self reliant person. I have no one to look after me when I am old and infirm. My hope is I will drop dead suddenly like my older brother did. He died from a massive heart attack, they said he was probably dead when he hit the floor. Well, a little exaggeration there maybe but he did die immediately at least and suffered as little as possible.

If I get to the point I can't drive safely, I hope I will still have enough cognitive ability left to know to hang my keys up. There are always other ways to get around even if they aren't as handy. Last year, since I live in a city, I took a taxi for the first time in decades and it was kinda nice not having to do the driving. Who knows? Maybe when my old Chevy truck finally dies, I will just rely on taxis.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Read this story:

Police: Charges pending in wrong-way I-95 crash | 6abc.com

 

[rekees4300]

Aren't states' DMVs suppose to decide who is or isn't competent to drive? When somebody can't pass the tests then it's time to stop driving autos.

 

[Qapla]

There is no magic age that means someone should stop driving. My mother could not drive past the age of 72 (we and the court were in favor of taking her licensee) while my father-in-law is still going good at 78.

What sometimes scares me more then older drivers is when I see people who can barely walk get in behind the wheel.

You know, the ones who use a cane or a walker or shuffle their feet to walk. When they get into the car, they can barely pick up their feet or have to use their hands to put their legs into the vehicle.

Then, they drive - WITH THEIR FEET - not with hand controls. I am not talking about wheelchair people with properly equipped vehicles, I mean people with plain off-the-lot cars without any special controls for impaired people's use. It is true, they can rest their foot on the gas pedal, but can they really lift either foot fast enough to hit the brake in an emergency?

This goes beyond any age, as people of all ages have leg, feet and back problems making it difficult to use their feet or lift their legs.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I agree. There are some who just should not drive; young and old alike.

 

[chopped]

interesting video... and also scarey at the same time.sound slike from the whitness that she has had people honk at her alot in the past.

 

[Denwa]

Here is some very helpful input for anyone facing this situation, brought to you by none other than good old AARP. Strategies for bringing up the subject and ways to get er' done. It's under "We Need To Talk."

AARP Driver Safety Program--We Need to Talk--Advice On Persuading Drivers With Failing Skills To Stop Or Limit Driving

I found it helpful when getting my dad off the road.

Dennis