Kathy Collins Director of Member Resources Staying Put in New Canaan STAYING PUT SAFELY BEHIND THE WHEEL Kathy Collins Director of Member Resources Staying Put in New Canaan

Older Drivers Are At Greater Risk of Injury and Death in an Auto Accident

How Does Age Affect Driving? Vision Gradually deteriorates over time Physically Reaction time slows down Hearing Hearing loss makes it difficult to hear warning sounds Chronic Health Conditions Impact ability to drive safely Cognitive Takes more time to process information, to remember locations, respond in a timely manner to traffic signals

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel Stay Healthy! Exercise on a regular basis to maintain strength and flexibility Having a yearly physical Have yearly eye and hearing tests Eat Well Sleep Well

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel Know Your Medications 69% of people over 55 use one or more medications that may impair driving ability To learn how medications can affect driving speak with your doctor or pharmacist

Are driving issues caused by irreversible or corrective factors?

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel Adapt to Changes – Drive with Confidence Drive during daylight and in good weather Drive with someone else in the car Drive shorter distances Drive when there is less traffic on the roads

Stay Safe Behind the Wheel Drive Smart Increase you distance when following cars to allow more time to slow down or stop Minimize dangerous left turns: 3 right turns or intersections with designated left-hand turn lanes  

Don’t Text or Talk on the Cell Phone

Watch out for distracted drivers

Should I Be Concerned About My Ability To Drive Safely? Close Calls Dents and scrapes Getting lost, in familiar locations Easily distracted Difficulty concentrating Trouble seeing Trouble moving foot from pedals Confusing the two pedals Misjudging distance Experiencing road rage Other drivers’ road rage Head and neck movement Traffic tickets or "warnings”

If You Are Concerned About Your Driving Talk To Your Adult Children Thirty-six percent of adult children polled by the Web site Caring.com and the National Safety Council said that talking to their parents about the need to stop driving would be harder than discussing funeral plans or selling the family home.

Driving Assessments – Clinical and Behind the Wheel Assessments In New Canaan, the Lewis School of Driving will perform the in-vehicle assessment for $85. 203-972-0242 http://www.lewisschoolofdriving.com/ Norwalk Hospital, Driver Rehabilitation 203-852-3400 https://www.norwalkhospital.org/departments/outpatient-rehabilitation-and-physical-therapy-services/specialty-rehabilitation-programs/driver-rehabilitation Clinical and behind the wheel assessment.

If You Stop Driving Don’t Sit Home Important to maintain your independence and avoid isolation Older adults who stopped driving made: 15% fewer trips to the doctor 59% fewer trips to eat out or shop 65% fewer trips to visit family and friends

If You Stop Driving Don’t Sit Home Make a list of your usual car trips: shopping, church, hairdresser, doctor, dinner with friends AND Consider alternatives to driving Riding with friends Staying Put The GetAbout Uber or Lyft

Connecticut DMV License Renewal Process The fee for a six year renewal is $72 Individuals over age 65 have the option of renewing for six or two years. The two year renewal is $24 License renewals must be processed in person at your local DMV or AAA location. Your current license must be presented and the renewal application form No tests are required for renewal

Thank you for attending Staying Safe Behind the Wheel Lapham Community Center

Sources AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety AARP Center for Disease Control DMV Senior Guide For Safe Driving Transportation for America Study (2011) U.S. Department of Transportation