|
When
Dad Shouldn't Be Driving Anymore: Some Tips
Written
By: Planning Specialist Suzanne Brown
Originally
Published on October 2, 2003
America
is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of fatal accidents
involving elderly drivers. Researchers attribute this to a 73%
increase since 1995 in the number of drivers who are age 70 and older
and the age-related changes in the physical condition of this
population.
As drivers
age, driving can become increasingly difficult and dangerous as a result
of eyesight loss, changes in cognition and muscular dexterity, and slowed
reaction time. This is a dangerous situation not only for the elderly
driver, but for everyone who is sharing the road with them.
No one
wants to be the person who takes away someone's independence; however
there are times when a concerned family member must intervene for the
safety of their loved one and the well being of others.
If you have a family member or friend who you feel should not be
driving, there are some resources and interventions that may be helpful.
Depending
upon the situation, it may be enough to sit down with the family member or
friend and openly discuss your concerns.
Some families have had success "losing" the keys or disabling
the car. Offer the driver
transportation to errands, or invite them to go with you when you do your
shopping. Perhaps
public transportation can be used.
The Area
Office of Aging provides transportation for people age 60 and older.
The fee for this service is dependent upon the age of the
individual as well as the destination.
For a person age 60 and older, the cost to go for groceries, to a
senior center, doctor's appointment, or to visit a family member in a
hospital or nursing home is fifty-five cents each way.
For other destinations the cost is $11.00 each way until the age of
65, when the fee is reduced to $1.65 each way for destinations other than
to the grocery store, medical appointments and to the hospital or nursing
home. Registering for this
service is easy. To sign up
for this service, go to your Area Office of Aging. You will need to take
either a birth certificate or driver's license to verify age.
When
More Drastic Measures are Needed.
Often
elderly drivers do not want to admit, or just do not recognize that their
driving abilities have deteriorated and that their driving poses a risk to
themselves and others. They
may resist giving up their independence in transportation.
Families are often faced
with this difficult situation and may need to make tough decisions. This
may mean more drastic measures to protect their loved ones.
The
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provides a medical unit that can
assist families who find themselves in this difficult situation.
A concerned family member or friend can
anonymously contact this special unit by calling (717) 787-9662. The caller
provides the driver's full name, address, and social security number (if
available). The medical unit first investigates the report to determine
its validity. If the medical
unit determines that the concern is legitimate it will send a letter to
the driver and require a medical evaluation.
The driver has 30 days to respond.
If the driver does not have the medical evaluation, a second letter
is sent that states unless the medical evaluation is completed within 45
days, their driver's license will be suspended.
If the driver takes but does not pass the physical exam, their
license is suspended.
Although
harsh, this approach is effective when other efforts have been
unsuccessful. Sometimes
difficult decisions and hard choices have to be made out of compassion and
concern. In the end, we all
want to ensure that our loved ones are safe.
The
regulations governing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
medical unit are contained in the Pennsylvania Code which is available
online. http://www.pacode.com. See
Title 67, Chapter 82, Section 82.8.
Return
to Caregiver's Concern Section
Return
to Marshall, Parker & Associates' Home Page
|
