Whether you consider yourself the next Lewis Hamilton or a newbie that is still learning the ropes, I am sure you will all agree that being a driver requires an incredible amount of skill. From knowing how to operate a car to understanding what the best thing is to do when faced with an onslaught of heavy traffic, driving is a great skill and once you have it; it will stay with you for years on end. As such an important part of life and for many and as a skill that makes completing everyday tasks so much easier, driving is something we all want to continue doing, even in our elder years but is it always safe?
You hear it everywhere, that the elderly generation are a risk on the road and should stick to buses but is that really fair? Understandably once older, the senses and reaction times are perhaps a little slower than they once were but that doesn't necessarily mean that they all need to stay off the road, far from it!
There has never been a cap on driving and legally no unsafe driving age but for those in retirement, although no obligations there are a few things that you perhaps should consider in order to ensure that when you do get on the road that both yourself and other drivers are as safe as possible...
Valid Licence - Once over the age of 70 you will have to apply for your licence every three years. Ensure that you keep on top of this as failing to do so could cause a number of issues.
Long Journeys - Whether taking a trip to the coast or driving to see the grandkids, when was the last time you drove a great distance? Is this something you do regularly and are used to and comfortable with or is this something you haven't done in years? Don't just take a long journey out of the blue, be sure that it is something that you can comfortably do and plan everything carefully so you know exactly what to expect and won't get lost!
Health - It is important to ensure that you are fit to drive. As the driver of the vehicle it is your responsibility to ensure that nothing will affect you whilst on the road so ask yourself; are there any conditions that might affect your driving style? (dementia is a particularly big problem that has been the cause of several road accidents)
Time It - Driving in the dark, in difficult weather conditions or in an area you know will be swamped with traffic is never easy for the best of us so try to avoid these if you can. Unless it is extremely important, leave your journey until daylight and avoid driving in icy/snowy conditions altogether.
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