As drivers age, big decision looms down the road

By STELLA MORRISON
Staff Writer

MONROE — For elderly drivers, the decision to stop driving is often made in consultation with family members and medical advisors.

Representatives from the Automobile Association of America (AAA) Mid-Atlantic and the Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living, Somerset, discussed the challenges of initiating that conversation with an older family member at a Nov. 19 workshop at the Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Middlesex County Monroe branch.

“The senior population is the most selfpolicing out there, because folks realize that if they are not comfortable driving at night or in bad weather, they won’t do it,” Tracy Noble of AAA Mid-Atlantic said. “Sometimes, though, they don’t have alternatives, and if there aren’t friends and family nearby [to drive], isolation kicks in.”

Noble suggested that if someone has concerns about an older driver, the first step is to ride in the car with them, pay attention to the driver’s reaction time, and ask questions about what is happening on the road.

“One thing to ask is if the driver is constantly on the receiving end of unpleasant gestures or people blowing the horn,” Noble said. “That might indicate that the driver is not keeping up with traffic, which can be just as dangerous [as speeding].”

Noble said drivers should continue to get regular eye exams and discuss driving with a doctor who can help determine if the driver should turn in the keys.

According to Toby Ehrlich, director of corporate marketing at the Wilf Campus, alternatives to driving should be presented as part of the conversation with an elderly driver. Options include using a private driver-for-hire, a car service or moving to a community that offers regular transportation.

“Being able to offer an alternative is a big thing,” Ehrlich said. “It will be work on your part to find that alternative. It could be a nice lady or man who’s newly retired who wants to make extra money, or a companion from an agency or a home health aide.”

If a driver’s behavior is severe and all avenues are exhausted, Ehrlich said drivers can be reported to the Motor Vehicle Commission anonymously, which would then force the driver to visit a doctor to determine if he or she can continue to drive.

For those who are aging but are able to drive, Noble suggested items available for purchase that can tailor the car to the driver’s needs, such as brake- and gas-pedal extenders and swivel seats.

AAA offers several tools for older drivers, such as online checks to ensure that reaction times are up-to-par and a medication comparison chart that informs the driver when a medication may decrease alertness.

AAA also offers a car check that ensures that items such as mirrors and the steering column are located in the safest places for the driver. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.