Understanding why driving becomes harder with age
Driving becomes harder with age due to decline in physical and cognitive abilities.
According to UK law, there is no set age limit for driving. However, after the age of 70, you are required to renew your driving license every three years. Driving after 70 – Age UK Elderly drivers have slower reaction times, deteriorating vision and hearing, and joint stiffness that can make steering and braking more difficult. Cognitive decline can also affect decision-making and multitasking skills, increasing the risk of errors on the road. Medications and health conditions common in elderly people can further impair driving ability, making it more challenging to react quickly and safely in traffic. If a loved one has been finding it increasingly difficult to drive safely and needs help with daily tasks, Helping Hands elderly care services can provide the help and reassurance you need.
Reasons an older person may hide driving difficulties
An older person might hide difficulties with driving due to fear of losing independence.
Driving allows someone to run errands, visit friends, and maintain an active lifestyle. An elderly person may hide their driving difficulties due to worry about burdening family members by relying on others for transportation. Additionally, they might not fully recognize the extent of their decline or feel embarrassed about admitting their struggles. Some great alternatives to driving can help an elderly person lead a safer life while travelling, as well as preserve their independence and freedom. These include:
Signs an older person may no longer be safe to drive
Some key signs to watch out for to assess your loved one’s driving ability include:
Slow reaction time
Struggling to respond quickly to sudden stops, changing lights, or unexpected obstacles could lead to a risk of accidents.
Frequent close calls or accidents
Minor fender benders, scrapes, or near-misses can indicate declining driving ability and slower decision-making.
Confusion or getting lost
Becoming disoriented, even in familiar areas, or missing turns frequently may signal cognitive decline affecting navigation skills.
Difficulty with traffic signals or signs
Failing to notice stop signs, running red lights, or misjudging right-of-way can suggest vision problems or slower processing speed.
Increased anxiety or frustration
If driving causes noticeable stress, hesitation, or outbursts of anger, it may indicate declining confidence and ability.
Physical struggles with driving
Stiffness or pain when turning the wheel, braking, or checking blind spots can make driving unsafe and uncomfortable.
How to address aging and driving problems
Addressing aging and driving problems requires compassion, patience, and proactive advice.
You can approach your family member by having an open conversation about any concerns, using specific examples of unsafe driving. You can also encourage regular vision, hearing, and cognitive check-ups and offer alternative transportation options like public transport or mobility scooters. If your family member needs further mobility care, your Helping Hands carer can help with transitioning out of life behind the wheel too. Take a look at Age UK’s advice if you are worried about someone’s driving.
What should I do if my loved one is unsafe to drive but won’t stop?
Compassionate conversations
Express your concerns with love and patience. Reassure them that your goal is their safety, not taking away their independence.
Offer alternatives
Help them transition by arranging rides with family, using public transportation, or exploring other services to maintain mobility.
Seek professional help
Involve a doctor for a medical evaluation or contact the DVLA for further support and advice if they refuse to stop despite safety risks.
How Helping Hands Home Care can support elderly living
At Helping Hands, we pride ourselves on our home care that adapts to your needs. We can offer care as a live-in, visiting or respite basis.
Visiting care
Live-in care
A fully regulated home care provider
Here at Helping Hands, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
This means we need to consistently meet high standards and are monitored by our regulators.
