Road safety for older drivers

Eyesight

Failing eyesight can be a gradual process and you may not realise how much worse it has become. Have your eyes checked every year and if you need glasses to drive, use them.

Hearing

If you normally wear a hearing aid at home use it when driving or when out and about.

Driving at night

Glare from headlights can cause a problem as our older eyes take longer to adjust. If you don't feel confident driving at night, avoid it if you can. If you do need to drive, make sure you wear an-up-to date pair of distance glasses or contacts. Never wear tinted lenses such as red or amber as they can filter out traffic lights, brake lights and indicators.

Avoid distraction

Our powers of concentration can decrease with age so avoid distractions, especially when you need to negotiate busy junctions.

Plan your route

Particularly if you are driving to an unfamiliar destination.

Know your limitations

You should own up to certain driving activities that are not quite as easy as they once were. If you start experiencing problems such as gripping the steering wheel, or working other controls, ask your doctor to refer you to an occupational therapist. They may be able to suggest aids and accessories that would help. Remember it is not just your safety, but that of your passengers and other road users as well.

Keep physically active

Daily physical activity like walking, cycling and swimming helps to keep your joints supple and your muscles strong.

Medication

Some over-the-counter and prescription medicines can affect your ability to drive safely. Ask your pharmacist or GP if you are safe to drive while taking them. If not ask, if there is a suitable alternative.

Stay legal

If you have a disability or medical condition that could affect your ability to drive safely, you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Some examples of conditions you need to notify them about are:

• dementia
• diabetes
• epilepsy
• stroke
• heart conditions

Check if a health condition affects your driving

More information

The Older Person's Guide to Road Safety gives advice to keep safe behind the wheel and help you drive for longer. There is also advice on using child car seats if you take the grandchildren out in your car.

Walking is a great form of exercise which provides many benefits. It's free, it's gentle on the body, helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes and lowers blood pressure. It's also excellent for controlling weight, improving flexibility and for keeping you looking and feeling good. It also keeps you looking younger for longer - a big plus!

Top tips for stepping out on the right foot:

Plan your route

With a little planning, you can cut down the number of times you have to cross busy roads.

Choose a good time to go out

It's better to avoid going out or coming back during rush hours when traffic is particularly heavy.

Wear brighter clothing

It doesn't have to be fluorescent, but wearing something bright or even carrying something light coloured can help you be seen more easily in poor weather or in the dark.

Cross where it is safest

You'd be surprised how many pedestrians are knocked down within sight of a pedestrian crossing. It's worth the extra effort to use one. If none are available, make sure you pick somewhere that gives you a good view of traffic.

Stay alert to traffic conditions

It's easy to misjudge speed and distance, particularly with smaller vehicles such as cycles, so look for long gaps in traffic. Accept you perhaps can't move quite as quickly as you once did and give yourself plenty of time to get across.

Expect the unexpected

Traffic doesn't always do what we expect. Will that vehicle turn into the junction even if it isn't indicating? Will the stationary van suddenly pull out?

Be careful when stepping out from behind parked vehicles

You'd be surprised how many older pedestrians get knocked down by doing just that. If you can't find a clearer space, make sure you check there are no drivers in the vehicles and check properly before stepping out from between the vehicles.

Be careful crossing bus lanes, cycle lanes and cycle paths

They can easily catch you out. You probably won't hear a cycle coming towards you, particularly from behind.

Watch out for blind spots

Where there is a stationary or queuing traffic, it might appear safe to cross, but it if starts to move the drivers may not have seen you in the road. Never cross in front of an HGV as you are likely to be hidden from the driver's view.

More information

The Older Person's Guide to Road Safety gives great advice on keeping active and safe on the roads when walking, cycling or using public transport.

If you receive a qualifying mobility allowance, you may use it to buy or lease a car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair on the Motability Scheme.

The qualifying mobility allowances are:

• the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement

If you do not qualify for the scheme, you can make your own arrangements to have a car adapted by contacting a local car dealer who does Motability work.

More information

Motability Scheme

Driving Mobility gives:

• advice to disabled drivers about driving
• an assessment of capabilities
• advice about car adaptations
• advice about choice of car

They also offer professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to people:

• recovering from an accident or injury
• who have a medical condition which may affect their ability to drive or access a motor vehicle

Regional Driving Assessment Centre (RDAC)

The Regional Driving Assessment Centre (RDAC) offers free advice and support to non-drivers to explore what travel options are available in your local area and beyond.

They can offer:

• advice on driving
• advice on accessing public transport
• information on accessible transport
• help to improve your confidence to travel