For Immediate Release

DRIVING TIPS FOR SENIORS
May is Older Virginians Month

Richmond, VA May 8, 2007 - As we age, we can expect to experience changes in our vision, our hearing, and our ability to judge distances, to process information and to react quickly. At some point in our lives, these changes will affect our ability to drive a vehicle. There may even come a time when we stop driving altogether. May is Older Virginians Month and the perfect time for mature drivers to hone their skills. Here's a sample of the tips and information available to seniors and to those who care for them from www.GrandDriver.net, a resource provided by The Virginia Department for the Aging and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Check your vision on a regular basis. In a typical day, a driver encounters as many as 200 situations per mile. Our eyes provide nearly 90 percent of the information we need to respond to road conditions, traffic patterns, signs and signals, and hazards. According to Gail Jasionowski, Driving School Director for AAA Mid-Atlantic, our eyesight deteriorates to such an extent that by age 60, we require ten times the amount of light necessary to see an object as when we were 16. An eye care professional can help monitor vision changes as we age. Adjusting mirrors and seats when we prepare to drive helps optimize visibility. If you must drive at night, dim the dash lights and keep anything light-colored or reflective off the top of the dash.

Take a driving refresher course specifically designed for older drivers. Chances are things have changed a bit since you've taken a driving class. Cars are now equipped with air bags, and seat belts now have shoulder straps. Attitudes and human behavior may even have changed over the years. Courtesy may not always be one of the rules of the road. A refresher course for drivers or a driving course targeted to older drivers is just the ticket to stay on top of new laws, new equipment and new ways of thinking.

Avoid driving in bad weather and when visibility is limited. As simple as it sounds, many of us forget or ignore the unseen hazards that a simple rain shower, for example, can cause. Try to reschedule appointments or errands to times when weather conditions improve, or consider public transportation. Drive only during daylight hours if necessary. Remember that bright sunshine can be equally dangerous. Wear sunglasses to help reduce glare.

Plan your route ahead of time. Travel on roads you know. Make a trial run on those you don't. Choose well-lit streets and those with clear signs and well-marked lanes. Remember that parking can often be a problem. Look for easy access to parking spaces and parking garages.

Limit left hand turns. Senior drivers are more likely to be involved in left-turn crashes as they age. To help reduce this risk, make left turns only at controlled intersections with left turn arrows or have a friend re-route popular trips to the doctor's office or grocery store using only right turns.

Explore alternatives to driving before the need arises. Have friends and family help compile a list of all transportation options in your area. If you do have to stop or significantly limit your driving, you'll be prepared with bus schedules, phone numbers for car pool groups, and public transportation options to help you stay mobile and independent without missing a beat.

Avoid busy highways. More traffic on the road means more chances for an accident. If interstate highway travel is cause for alarm, take the road less traveled and those that you are most familiar with. Pay attention to the busy times of day in your area and try to plan appointments and errands at times when there are fewer cars on the road. Remember, you can use public transportation or start car pooling any time.

Choose a "senior friendly" vehicle. Have you ever considered the options that may help compensate for a loss of strength or vision? Power steering is one that quickly comes to mind, but there are others such as power and anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, rear window defrosters, power-adjust side mirrors and more. Easy-to-reach controls are critical to safe driving. Large, well-lit dials and gauges also help. Adaptive equipment may be necessary, such as hand controls. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, keep these options in mind and choose one with a light, single-tone paint color, preferably cream, yellow, white or greenish yellow.

For more senior driving tips, driving assessments and family member resources, visit www.GrandDriver.net or call 1-800-552-3402. Here you'll find a wealth of information designed to help mature drivers drive more safely and stay mobile for as long as possible. Virginia GrandDriver is a public health initiative of the Virginia Department for the Aging with funding from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

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