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Driving Safer For Longer
When is it time to give up driving
We will all have to give up driving one day, but how do we know when the time is right. Answering this is difficult; it could be for a medical reason or maybe because you no longer feel safe to drive.
Recognising the signs
Driving puts a high demand on us physically and mentally.Most of us go to the doctor for regular physical check-ups. We need to think how our doctor’s advice relates to our driving.. Self-awareness is the key to safe driving.
Hearing
With the car windows closed, can you hear a siren or horn?
Do you hear the sound of your indicators?
Vision
Can you read a car number plate from 20.5 m or 67 ft?
Are objects clear and bright? Are you fine with night driving?
Do you see clearly at night?
Can you go outside in the bright sunlight and see clearly right away?
Movement
Can you turn your head to see over each shoulder?
Can you drive for 30 minutes without your fingers or arms becoming tingly or numb?Can you keep a firm but comfortable grip on the steering wheel with both hands while keeping your elbows bent and relaxed?
Can you lift your arm high enough to adjust the rearview mirror?
Can you depress the brake pedal with your knee bent?
Can you sit for 15 minutes without your feet or legs becoming tingly or numb?
Do you always use your right foot to depress the pedal?
Can you bend your foot at least 10 degrees?
If you answered no to any of the above questions, you may want to speak to your GP about an eye test or some simple exercises which may help you drive safer for longer.
Cognitive
Do you have trouble deciding when to enter a lane of moving traffic?
Do Junctions confuse you? Does driving make you angry?
Are Gaps in the traffic harder to judge?
Do other drivers hoot at you?
At times do vehicles appear to come from nowhere?In the past year, have you gotten a traffic ticket or had an accident?
Have family or friends expressed concern about your driving?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're not alone. The fact is that the natural physical changes from normal aging, affect your ability to drive safely. Fortunately, you can cope with many of these changes by learning your limits and adjusting your driving.
Talk to your friends, family, GP or why not take a Roadfit assessed drive.
- Driving Safer for Longer
- Keeping Fit to Drive
- Eyesight and Hearing
- Road Fit Assessment
- Safe Driving Workshop
- The Use of Medicines and Drugs While Driving
- Practical Advice
- Travel Options
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