Working Hard for the Hardworking People of Connecticut

Five Questions To Ask To Make Sure The Older Drivers In Your Life Remain Safe

As we age we may have a hard time giving up some of the day to day activities we have been doing for so many years.  One of these activities may include driving and for someone who has been driving their whole life it may be particularly challenging to admit when it is time to give up that task.

That being said, older drivers can be more susceptible to getting into a Connecticut auto accident and while they may be resistant to handing over the keys, it is important to keep an eye on their driving behaviors and ensure that they are remaining safe.   The good news is there are some simple ways you can tell if an older driver may require a “intervention” in their day to day driving.

Keep in mind that this is a delicate subject and can cause some anxiety for the older person you are communicating with so it should be a conversation that allows for them to come to a decision on their own and should not be a forceful takeover of their driving rights.  

Here are some questions that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests answering before having this difficult conversation with the older driver in your life;

  1. Are you noticing that the driver is getting lost driving simple, known routes?

  2. Were there noticeable scratches and dents that are appearing regularly?

  3. Have they been ticketed for impaired driving recently?

  4. Do road markings and street signs overwhelm them when they are driving?

  5. Are they suffering from any illnesses that may be affecting their ability to drive safely?

If the answer is yes to some or all of these questions, in the best interest of the driver, you may want to begin a conversation with him/her to determine if they should still be driving or not.  This is in an effort to ensure their safety and avoid any Connecticut auto accidents.

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident and believe you should have an attorney review your case, you may contact our office immediately to have one of our experienced attorneys speak to you about your case.