By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Even if you’ve been behind the wheel for decades, your driving skills might need a tune-up. Driving a car is a key component to independence as you age, giving you the freedom to run errands on your own schedule, visit family and friends, and stay involved in your community.

But the incidence of accidents per mile driven tends to increase after the age of 70, according to the AARP. That’s why it’s particularly important for older adults to make sure their vehicles, driving skills, and habits are up to snuff.

“As we get older, it takes longer to react to a sudden change in traffic, joints are stiffer, muscles weaker, making it harder to maneuver,” says  Dr. Sharon Brangman, chief of geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical Center. “Changes in vision make it harder to adjust to changes from bright to dark, which can cause an accident in a few seconds.”

Know the signs
Brangman says things like unexplained dents on a car, getting lost on familiar drives, difficulty parking, or incorrect signaling can be signs that a driver’s precision is starting to deteriorate.

Since many people may not be able to accurately assess their own driving skills, Brangman suggests taking a ride with an adult child or enrolling in a safe driving course like those offered by the AARP.

Recognizing how important it is for older drivers to refresh the knowledge of the rules of the road, many insurance companies offer discounts to people who complete the AARP course.

Communities like Brooksby offer free transportation so people who live there don’t have to drive at night or in bad weather.

Stay safer—longer
Getting older doesn’t mean you have to turn in your keys. Brangman says there are a lot of simple modifications you can make to stay safer on the road. She says things like larger rearview mirrors and adjustments to the seat and steering wheel can go a long way in increasing driver safety.

Reduce your risk