[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/driver-retirement\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/driver-retirement\/","headline":"Talking About \u2018Driving Retirement\u2019","name":"Talking About \u2018Driving Retirement\u2019","description":"See. Think. Decide. Act. Driving involves more than physically operating a vehicle. Safe driving also requires cognitive skills such\u00a0as recognizing and reacting to unexpected situations. Unfortunately, our physical and cognitive skills weaken as we age. If you recognize a decline in your loved one\u2019s driving skills, you can help them...","datePublished":"2022-10-22","dateModified":"2024-08-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/author\/phoenixlawteam\/#Person","name":"Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/author\/phoenixlawteam\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1e4dc39d74dcc876245d4603866817c2b3e4a9be1d45c3ef67992bd821d77cbb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1e4dc39d74dcc876245d4603866817c2b3e4a9be1d45c3ef67992bd821d77cbb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Mushkatel-robbins-becker-pllc-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Mushkatel-robbins-becker-pllc-logo.png","width":459,"height":157}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/driving-retirement-infographic-1-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/driving-retirement-infographic-1-scaled.jpg","height":"2560","width":"656"},"url":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/driver-retirement\/","about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":652,"articleBody":"See. Think. Decide. Act.Driving involves more than physically operating a vehicle. Safe driving also requires cognitive skills such\u00a0as recognizing and reacting to unexpected situations. Unfortunately, our physical and cognitive skills weaken as we age. If you recognize a decline in your loved one\u2019s driving skills, you can help them plan a safe end to their time behind the wheel.Remember \u2026Driving is independence. Driving is mobility. Driving defines adulthood. It is important to seniors. Giving it up will not be easy. A discussion about\u00a0no longer driving will be complex and emotionally charged. You both need to be ready for your talk about \u201cdriving retirement.\u201dSigns of Driving DifficultiesIdeally, a conversation about driving begins before problems arise.\u00a0You should be concerned if your loved one:Gives slow, unsure or agitated responses to questions or unexpected situationsForgets things or becomes easily distractedSuffers from a medical condition or takes medication that makes driving unsafeLoses driving confidence (drives too slowly, clutches the steering wheel, strains to see or becomes nervous or apprehensive in heavy or fast-moving traffic)Shows a sharp decline in driving skills (drifts across lanes, fails to maintain a steady or proper speed or hits curbs).Note:\u00a0To renew a driver\u2019s license in Arizona, drivers older than age 65 must pass a vision test. If a driver exhibits signs of visual impairment, the driver may be required to pass a written test.We Need to Talk \u2026Just as we talk to teens about safe driving, we should be prepared to talk to our older loved ones about safe driving habits. Your loved one may be more willing to talk about it than you might think. One\u00a0study\u00a0found that 64% of adults ages 55 and older were open to discussing with their family how to decide when to stop driving, and 32% were open to having a family member decide for them.The\u00a0AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety\u00a0offers a few helpful topics that you can raise in your discussion:More than 200,000 drivers 65 years old or older were injured and more than 3,500 were killed in traffic accidents in 2021. (You may also mention that more than 23,000 drivers ages 65 and older were in accidents in Arizona in 2021, causing 187 deaths and more than 7,500 injuries, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.)Experts suggest that seniors \u201cbegin planning for \u2018driving retirement\u2019 at the same time they begin planning for retirement from work.\u201dSeniors typically outlive their ability to drive safely by an average of 7 to 10 years.Have the Talk with Your Loved OneTalk soon.\u00a0Start the talk about driving retirement as part of other conversations about looking forward in life.Talk often.\u00a0It can be an ongoing discussion if you start it early enough. So, your loved one won\u2019t feel rushed or forced into making any decisions.Talk one-on-one.\u00a0Approach the subject alone with the older driver so it doesn\u2019t feel like you are ganging up on him or her. Bring others into the conversation once it is a comfortable discussion.Talk together.\u00a0Don\u2019t dictate. Make sure your loved one plays an active role in planning for their driving retirement.Talk about safety.\u00a0Stress the importance of your loved one\u2019s independence, which requires maintaining his or her physical health. The last thing you want for them is to get in a\u00a0car wreck.Talk about substance.\u00a0Cite specific reasons for your concerns such as a recent accident or near-miss, getting lost or medicine that causes drowsiness. Don\u2019t accuse or denigrate your loved one\u2019s driving abilities.Talk about alternatives.\u00a0Driving may end, but life does not. Have a plan for a former driver to get around and keep up his or her normal routine. For instance, in Phoenix, drivers ages 65 and older can take advantage of the city\u2019s\u00a0Alternative Transportation Programs, including Senior Ride, Senior Center Shuttle, ADA Ride, Employment Transportation and the Medical Trip program."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Talking About \u2018Driving Retirement\u2019","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/driver-retirement\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]