When to be Concerned About a Senior Driver

Driving can offer a sense of independence and freedom, no matter your age, but this can be especially true for older drivers. It can also be a key tool for continuing with favorite activities, attending medical appointments, and connecting with friends and family. But as the number of drivers aged 70 and older grows, it’s not uncommon to find yourself worrying about a driver in your life and wondering if it’s time for them to stop driving.

Most people can drive safely well into old age. Normal aging does affect driving, but there isn’t a set age when a person is no longer safe behind the wheel. When it’s unsafe for someone to drive, it’s generally the result of an underlying medical condition or medications. 

However, it should be noted that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that among older drivers, those 85 and up had the highest rates of fatal crashes. In the most recently available data, 14% of drivers involved in fatal car crashes in 2022 were 65 and older. Senior drivers also made up nearly 20% of all traffic fatalities that same year, the highest rate of fatalities for people 65 and older on record.  

Though the numbers can be concerning, you can minimize risks by getting involved and regularly checking the driving of your parent or other senior driver in your life. Here’s what to look out for.

Be on alert for red flags.

Drivers who experience any of the following may be at increased risk for a collision or future unsafe driving.

• The driver has been issued two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the past two years. Tickets can predict the greatest risk for collision.
• The driver has been involved in two or more collisions or “near misses” in the past two years. Rear-end crashes, parking lot fender-benders, and side collisions while turning across traffic rank as the most common mishaps for drivers with diminishing skills, depth perception, or reaction time.

In addition, there are some other telltale signs to be aware of and monitor. “It could include getting lost on familiar routes, an increase in fender benders, minor dents and scratches around the vehicle, general confusion and disorientation while driving, difficulty getting in and out of the vehicle, and arthritic hands,” says Jake Nelson, director of traffic safety advocacy and research for AAA.

Nelson explains that these signs don’t automatically mean there’s a problem, but having more than one red flag or multiple occurrences may highlight unsafe driving.

Look for the warning signs.

When you ride with an older driver, look for signs of poor driving, but keep in mind it doesn’t necessarily mean the person should not drive. Often, poor driving behaviors can be improved with training or by addressing an underlying medical condition that affects driving. A trained medical professional can help identify treatment options that may help improve—not limit—safe driving ability.

Ask yourself:

• Does the driver confuse the gas and brake pedals or have difficulty working them? Drivers who lift their legs to move from the accelerator to the brake, rather than keeping a heel on the floor and pressing with the toes, may be signaling waning leg strength.
• Does the driver seem to ignore or miss stop signs and other traffic signals? Perhaps the driver is inattentive or cannot spot the signs in a crowded, constantly moving visual field.
• Does the driver weave between or straddle lanes? Signaling incorrectly or not at all when changing lanes can be particularly dangerous, especially if the driver fails to check mirrors or blind spots.
• Do other drivers honk or pass frequently, even when the traffic stream is moving relatively slowly? This may indicate difficulty keeping pace with fast-changing conditions.
• Does the driver get lost or disoriented easily, even in familiar places? This could indicate problems with working memory or early cognitive decline.

“Cognitive health is a major concern,” Nelson says. “Obviously, leg strength and mobility are important as well in order to fully depress the gas and brake pedals. Those are the things that we're generally most concerned with.”

If you ride with a driver who exhibits one or more of the warning signs, consider discussing the benefits of getting a comprehensive driving assessment to help identify and address any risky driving behaviors and maximize safety.

Recognize coping mechanisms.

Most people know when their driving skills and abilities aren’t as sharp as they used to be. Two of the most common coping mechanisms used by unsafe senior drivers are:

• Using a copilot to help respond to situations in the driving environment. Anyone who cannot drive safely and comfortably without a copilot should not drive at all.
• Driving too slow or too fast for conditions. Driving too slow can be a sign that the driver is compensating for slowed reflexes or reduced reaction time. Those who drive too fast may not realize how fast they are traveling or be overcompensating due to a fear of being noticed for driving too slowly.

“Most all of us will at some point, given life expectancy here in the U.S., have to restrict or give up driving, depending on our general health and fitness to drive,” says Nelson. “The question is more often when than it is if.”

When possible, it’s best to have a discussion with the senior drivers in your life about their future of driving while they are still healthy and able to safely drive independently. Together, you can come up with a plan for how they will approach driving as they age and when it may be time for them to reduce or stop driving.

“Just like planning for financial and healthcare needs in retirement,” says AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy Project Manager Rhonda Shah, “there are many benefits to planning ahead for the day when it makes sense to limit or stop driving.”