My parent is starting to experience memory issues but wishes to continue to drive. When is it time for someone to stop driving?

Driving performance should be the determining factor of when to stop driving. With that being said, as your parent’s driving skills deteriorate over time, they might not recognize they may have a problem. For this reason, it is essential to work closely with your parent’s doctor to monitor their driving and help them stop when it is no longer safe for them to drive. Here are some tips that can help.

Watch for Warning Signs

The best way to keep tabs on your parent’s driving abilities is to take frequent rides with them and watch out for warning signs. Warning signs of unsafe driving include the following:

• Do they have trouble remembering routes to familiar places?
• Do they drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate, drift between lanes or fail to observe traffic signs?
• Do they react slowly or make poor driving decisions?
• Have they had any recent fender benders or tickets?
• Have you noticed any dents or scrapes on their vehicle?

If you need assistance with assessing your parent’s driving abilities, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist. These licensed professionals are qualified and trained to evaluate a driver’s physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities to see if they can drive safely. You can find a specialist in your area by visiting Myaota.aota.org/driver_search or Aded.net.

Transition Tips

If you believe it is still safe for your parent to drive, recommend some simple adjustments to ensure their safety. These can include driving only during daylight hours, sticking to familiar routes, as well as avoiding busy roads and bad weather. You may also encourage your parent to sign a “driving contract” that designates someone to inform them when it is no longer safe to drive. Go to Alz.org/driving and click on “Download.” Once the PDF file is downloaded to your computer, you can print it out to have your parent sign it.

You may also want to consider getting a GPS tracking device to help monitor your parent’s driving. These devices allow you to track their location and let you set up zones and speed limits. You will receive alerts to your smartphone if they exit a designated area, drive too fast or brake harshly.

Time to Quit

When your parent can no longer drive safely, it will be important to have a conversation with them. It is best to start having these conversations before they need to quit driving so your parent can prepare themselves. You also should have a plan for alternative transportation (including a list of family, friends and local transportation options) that will help them get around once they stop driving.

Refuses to Quit

If your parent refuses to stop driving, you have several options. First, suggest a visit to their doctor for a medical evaluation, and prescribe that they stop driving. Older people will sometimes listen to their doctor more readily than to their family members.

You should also consider contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for help. Some states automatically revoke a license when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, while many others require retaking a driving test. 

If these attempts fail, consider selling your parent’s car or moving it to another location where your parent will not have access to the vehicle. In addition, it is important to ensure your parent cannot access any other vehicles so be mindful of where car keys are left when family members, friends or medical staff visit your parent.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.