Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/LNewton-Wellesley HospitalDepartment of Rehabilitation ServicesDrive Safe Program

Steering Clear at 60+ Tips for safe driving as we age

Drive Safe Program

“Skills for the Job of Living”

Drive Safe Program

IndependenceFreedomConvenienceConnection and

contribution to the community, friends, family

Respect Pride of owning a vehicle

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

How are today’s cars different ?

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

What about the roads and driving today?

How has driving changed?

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Vision

Strength, flexibility

and reflexes

Health conditions like arthritis

Memory

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Drive Safe Program

Adjust mirrors properly before driving

Check rearview mirror every 10 to 20 seconds

Turn your head and look before changing lanes or

merging with traffic

Other tips….

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Aging may bring diminished muscle strength to legs, arms, and handgrip—all important for vehicle control

flexibility to look over the shoulder for checking traffic

reaction time to respond to traffic or road hazards

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Physical ActivityStrengthening StretchingEnduranceBalance development

Adaptive Equipment

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Older adults maybe more susceptible to adverse or strong reactions

May take more medications, which increases the likelihood for interaction

The body may not use medications as effectively and reacts more strongly to even lower doses

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Be aware of your reaction to medications, vitamins, and supplements.

New medicine: Ask doctor or pharmacist about side effects.

Medication makes you dizzy or drowsy: Talk to doctor.

Adjust your driving schedule to accommodate the reaction.

Drive Safe Program

Driving a car requires:

Making decisions quickly which requires mental alertness. Switching attention quickly to many situations

happening on the road. Dividing attention to perform many tasks such

as steering, shifting gears checking mirrors and looking ahead.

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Organize your trip Sunglasses in easy reach Money ready for tolls Read your map before you start your trip

Control your environment Turn the radio/music down or off Ask passengers to keep conversations down Watch your temper Drive on familiar roads

(DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Improve concentration on the road by getting enough sleep and rest

Practice habits of sleep health Avoid naps Develop a regular time to go to bed Do some physical activity each day Eat a light meal in the evening Avoid drinking tea, coffee, or cocoa 6

hours before bedtime (DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

(DriveWell1)

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When Talk about driving before a problem develops.

Why The discussion is about your connection to

the community and your control over your future.

Driving discussions affect others—families, loved ones and friends, and those in the community that rely on you. (DriveWell1)

Drive Safe Program

Drive Safe Program

Most older drivers are safeMany older drivers self-restrictMajority of older drivers in the United

States will outlive their ability to drive by about 7 to 10 years3

Objective assessments and driver rehabilitation can be helpful

“Driving is considered a privilege but mobility is a human right” 2

Drive Safe Program

RMV: Evaluators lack specialized knowledge of

health conditions and aging

Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Specialized training Driving instructors: knowledge of driving Occupational therapists: knowledge of

driving + medical conditions

Drive Safe Program

Clinical Assessment of Underlying Skills for Driving

+On-Road Assessment of Driving Performance

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Driving Recommendations

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Thank you!

Program Evaluation

Drive Safe Program

1American Society on Aging & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2007). DriveWell: Promoting older driver safety and mobility in your community. U.S. Department of Transportation. DOT HS 809 838.

2Eby, D. W., & Molnar, L. J. (2008). “2008 North American License PoliciesWorkshop Proceedings.” AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Available: http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/LPWorkshopProceedings.pdf

3Foley, D.J., Heimovitz, H.K., Guralnik, J., and Brock, D. (August 2002). “Driving life expectancy of persons aged 70 years and older in the United States.” American Journal of Public Health 92(8):1284–89.