Safe driving in old age - checklists help to assess problems

Physicians publish checklists for assessing fitness to drive in old age

As people get older, the ability to concentrate and coordinate with those affected often decreases. These negative effects can lead to problems and dangerous situations, especially in traffic. Experts now publish checklists for older drivers, which should help in assessing the driving ability.

The researchers from the nonprofit Alzheimer's Research Initiative e.V. (AFI) have published checklists for older drivers and their families to help people better assess their driving skills. The complete guide with the title "safe car driving in old age" can be viewed free of charge.

Health problems when driving a car can lead to life-threatening situations in traffic. Especially the elderly are often affected. (Image: photophonie / fotolia.com)

Why do older people often have problems in traffic??

Elderly people can be at an increased risk of accidents in road traffic due to their lack of concentration and their lack of coordination ability. Especially problems with hearing and seeing, restrictions of the movement and the intake of medicines and their side effects lead to an increased risk for road users in older road users. Another problem is dementias such as Alzheimer's disease.

Patients should seek help from a doctor

With the help of checklists, the affected persons should be able to better assess their own situation. If one or more questions are answered with "yes" in these checklists, those affected can determine their personal risk when driving a vehicle. Motorists should then seek a conversation with a doctor and get informed about the possible dangers.

Warning sign for possible health problems

There are several signs that may indicate health problems. These include, for example, a lack of disorientation and a reduced reactivity, which occurs especially when detecting traffic lights and traffic signs. Also, the confusion of gas, clutch and brake can lead to difficulties in road traffic. Occurring nervousness in dense traffic and a generally unsafe driving style or even situations in which sufferers are often almost involved in an accident, point to possible health problems.

These points should be considered by family members

The checklist for relatives includes various assessments of the behavior of road users. These then include, for example, whether people are aggravating aggressively or anxiously in traffic or fail frequently to observe the right of way. Also, missing flashing before turning or changing lanes, and attempts to turn around after a downhill has been missed, indicate potential problems with driving a vehicle. (As)