1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Are driving issues caused by irreversible or corrective factors?

7. 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

8. 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  

9. Don’t Text or Talk on the Cell Phone

10. Watch out for distracted drivers

11. 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”

12. 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.

13. Driving Assessments – Clinical and Behind the Wheel Assessments
In New Canaan, the Lewis School of Driving will perform the in-vehicle assessment for $
Norwalk Hospital, Driver Rehabilitation
Clinical and behind the wheel assessment.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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