Are you a Safe Driver? Take the quiz!
We give our cars routine checks to make sure they’re running smoothly. It’s important we do the same for ourselves. If driving is important to you, don’t leave your future to chance. Take our 10-question quiz to help determine your driving ability and which skills might need polishing.
Checking your driving is safe driving
Abilities relating to driving — such as vision, memory, physical strength, reaction time, and flexibility — may decline as we age, but the rate of change varies greatly from person to person.
It’s important to think about your comfort level with driving, and how you could improve skills needed to use a vehicle. Learn how to minimize your risk on the road through physical conditioning, travel planning, and defensive driving.
Does your car still fit you like it used to? Through CarFit, a trained professional makes your car as comfortable and safe as possible for you. In 15 minutes, we’ll assess foot positioning on the pedals, adjust mirrors, steering wheel, and more.
Safe Driving Tips
Check yourself
- Get regular vision check-ups.
- Take a driving refresher course for senior drivers.
- Check how medications may affect your driving.
Think about how you feel in your car
- Adjust your seat and mirrors for best visibility.
- Work with a trained professional to complete the 12-point CarFit checklist.
- Sit up straight.
Consider the conditions
- Avoid driving in poor weather or limited visibility.
- Time your trip for daylight driving.
- In good weather, leave at least 3 seconds between you and the car ahead of you. In bad weather, leave at least 6 seconds of distance.
Check your route
- Plan your route ahead of time.
- Avoid busy highways.
- Choose routes that are marked and have well-lit streets with plenty of parking.
Go back to the basics
- Drive at the posted speed limit.
- Look for and yield to pedestrians.
- Limit left-hand turns.
- Use and cancel turn signals.
Share the road
- Scan the road for people who walk or bike.
- Don’t drive distracted or after drinking alcohol.
Take breaks
- Take a break after every 90 minutes of driving.
- Get out and stretch to help relieve stiffness and fatigue.
What you need to know about Motorcycle Safety
Motorcycle crashes are more deadly than car crashes. Riders need to wear all the gear, all the time. The best protections for riders are helmets (required for all riders in Virginia), gloves, sturdy jackets and pants, protective eyewear, and boots to cover the ankles.
Older drivers need to be extra cautious when riding a motorcycle.
People who are aging need to consider health and physical issues that may add to the safety factors, including:
- Strength needed to pick up and hold up a motorcycle becomes an issue
- More endurance is needed to ride longer distances
- Impaired night vision limits riding to day hours
- Arthritis can reduce agility in shifting and steering around obstacles.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
- Wear a helmet (required in Virginia)
- Use a lighter weight motorcycle
- Convert to a three-wheeler
- Get better seating and sit upright
- Drive in daytime hours and take breaks
- Drive in clear weather conditions
Keep the grandkids safe
All children under age eight must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat under Virginia state law. Also, under law, rear-facing child safety seats must be secured in the back seat and children cannot ride unrestrained in the cargo area.
The safety seat used depends on the age, weight and height of the child. Click here to see the different types of safety seats and which option is best for the child in your life. Once you find a car seat, follow the manufacturer’s directions closely.
