AA Car Insurance: Safety Tips for Older Drivers
For most, continuing to drive as they get older is important as it helps them stay active in their communities and access essential services. However, as we age there are particular driving risks to be aware of.
Issues commonly experienced by older drivers include:
- Changes in eyesight
- Health issues
- Medication side effects
- Uncertainty on busy roads and junctions
- Decline in physical strength
What older drivers do well
While older drivers face more physical challenges than younger drivers, generally speaking they’re a lower motor insurance risk compared to other age-groups, especially young drivers. This is because older drivers usually:
- Wear seat belts
- Don’t drink and drive
- Don’t speed
- Obey the rules of the road when they drive and demonstrate courtesy to other road users
- Drive less kilometers compared to younger drivers and motorists driving to and/or for work
Because of their physical frailty, older drivers are more likely than other motorists to suffer injury in the event of a car crash. With this in mind, it’s important, if you’re an older driver to keep up your driver fitness levels.
Keeping fit to drive
- Make sure you have regular eye and hearing check-ups
- Avoid driving when you’re tired
- Avoid driving on unfamiliar roads, at night, in bad weather and during rush hour traffic
- Share the driving when travelling longer distances
- Allow yourself longer driver reaction times
- Leave plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front
- Indicate in plenty of time
- Drive cautiously
- Keep your car well maintained
- Never drive if instructed not to by a doctor
- Be aware of medication side effects and whether or not they’ll impact your driving.
- If driving grandchildren around, fit approved child car restraints in your vehicle correctly
- Stay physically active as this’ll help with actions such as turning the car’s steering wheel and looking over your shoulder
- Know when it's time to consider hanging up your car keys. If you become confused while driving or you're concerned about your ability to drive safely it may be time to consider alternative forms of transport.