Whether you want to admit it or not, aging is inevitable. The ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in our physical, emotional and cognitive health. Although changes are a part of normal aging, they occur individually and at different rates and times. Just as one plans for retirement, it's important to plan for transportation needs. Proactive, early planning is paramount to continued independence and safety. 

Get involved by regularly checking the driving of your parent or other older driver in your life.

Here are two common warning signs:

• The older driver has been issued two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the past two years. Tickets can predict greatest risk for collision.
• The older driver has been involved in two or more collisions or "near-misses" in the past two  years. Rear-end crashes, parking lot fender-benders and side collisions while turning across traffic rank as the most common mishaps for drivers with diminishing skills, depth perception or reaction time.

One of the first steps in addressing older driver safety is having a nonthreatening conversation with our loved one. Family and friends play a major role in discussion about older driver safety, and it is better to start the conversation early, allowing time for planning and the exploration of options long before any crisis or accident. 

An older driver may decide that it is time to get a check-up on his or her driving fitness. The services described as "driving fitness evaluations" may seem confusing, as they range from self-assessments (useful education tools to help identify potential challenges) to a professional comprehensive driving evaluation from an occupational therapy driving rehabilitation specialist. It is important for older drivers and their family members to understand the driving service they are getting, so they can act on the results in a meaningful way.

A professional in-car evaluation is the best way to determine a driver's proficiency behind-the-wheel. AAA's private evaluation is a 45-minute in-car review of a driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle under various driving conditions. 

Typical reasons for an evaluation include:

• Questionable collisions
• Recovery from a serious physical condition 
• Family concerns
• Employer concerns
• Court mandated
• Doctor recommended
• Insurance discounts (check with insurance carrier)

AAA's private driving evaluation is a 45-minute in-car review of a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle under various driving conditions.

AAA DRIVER EVALUATIONS