September 2016
Page 17
Karnopp, Radosevich
and Preston, LLC
Attorneys at Law
Wills ~ Trusts ~ Living Wills ~ Probate Estates
Guardianships & Conservatorships
Consultations in the Privacy of Your Home
Martha J. Karnopp, Kristi M. Radosevich
Theodore C. Preston
303-646-2763
Am I Safe to Drive?
Source: Colorado’s Guide for Aging Drivers and their Families, Drive
Smart Colorado
For many adults, the driver’s license is the most important document
that offers mobility and independence. Many of us see cars as physical
extensions of ourselves that take us wherever we want, whenever we
want. However, the time may come when driving is no longer a safe
option. The decision to stop driving is never an easy one. However,
the key for a positive transition from driving to being a passenger is
planning.
Warning Signs/Self-Assessment
Our driving skills may deteriorate slowly so that we are unaware of
what is happening. Self-awareness is the key to safe driving. The self-
assessment below, taken from the Physician’s Guide to Assessing
and Counseling Older Drivers (published by the American Medical
Association) can help you decide if you should have your driving
abilities evaluated.
If you check any of the boxes on the following safety assessment,
your safety or the safety of
others may be at risk when you
drive. Talk with your doctor about
ways to improve your safety if
you are experiencing any of the
conditions or symptoms that may
be affecting your ability to drive
safely. If you notice one or more of
thesewarningsigns youmaywant
to have your driving assessed by
a driver rehabilitation specialist,
request a driver re-examination
with the Colorado Department of
Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division
or attend a driver’s refresher
class.
Check the box if the statement applies to you:
□ I get lost while driving.
□ My friends or family members say they are worried about my driving.
□ Other cars seem to appear from nowhere.
□ I have trouble finding and reading signs in time to respond to them.
□ Other drivers drive too fast.
□ Other drivers often honk at me.
□ I feel uncomfortable, nervous, or fearful while driving.
□ After driving, I feel tired.
□ I feel sleepy when I drive.
□ I have had some “near misses” lately.
□ Busy intersections bother me.
□ Left-hand turns make me nervous.
□ The glare from oncoming headlights bothers me.
□ My medication makes me dizzy or drowsy.
□ I have trouble turning the steering wheel.
□ I have trouble pushing down the foot pedal.
□ I have trouble looking over my shoulder when I back up.
□ I have been stopped by the police for my driving.
□ People no longer will accept rides from me.
□ I have difficulty backing up.
□ I have had crashes that were my fault in the past year.
□ I am too cautious when driving.
□ I sometimes forget to use my mirrors or signals.
□ I sometimes forget to check for oncoming traffic.
□ I have more trouble parking lately.
The Impact of Aging on Driving
Source: Colorado’s Guide for Aging Drivers and their Families, Drive Smart Colorado
Most people see a steady decline in some of the skills important for driving as they get older. Generally,
starting at age 55 there often is a slow decrease in how well we process information, remember and judge
driving events, such as the distance of oncoming traffic. However, the changes of aging do not affect all
drivers in the same way. Specific skills, such as vision, memory, strength, flexibility and quick reaction time
decline as we age but the rate varies from person to person. Your health is closely connected to your driving.
You must be able to see well enough to detect hazards in different types of lighting, judge distances, adjust
to the speed of traffic and read road signs. Your brain must be alert enough to quickly decide the correct
course of action in any type of traffic situation, including unexpected ones. Your body must also be able
to respond and react quickly. Driving presents particular challenges to older adults because of changes in
vision, cognition and physical function. The increased use of medications as we get older may affect driving
as well. It is your responsibility to understand how your limitations affect your driving. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “Older Drivers” web page (
Older+Drivers) provides links to a series of videos that address the more common medical conditions that
affect an older person’s ability to drive safely, such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cataracts, stroke, etc.
