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Supporting older drivers

Help your older friend or relative stay mobile - safely

Print version: Supporting older drivers (PDF, 941 KB)

For many older New Zealanders, a driver licence is an important symbol of their independence. Cars make it easy to go shopping, get to appointments, keep in touch with friends and attend social events - without having to rely on others.

The government is committed to helping people retain their independent mobility by whatever means they choose, for as long as possible. To support this, it has introduced many improvements to the driver licensing system - including removal of compulsory driving tests for drivers aged 80 and over.

While some older drivers may be able to continue driving well into their 80s and 90s, it's important to encourage older friends or relatives to regularly assess their driving and make adjustments if necessary. It also makes sense to help them plan ahead so they can retain their independence for as long as possible - with or without a car.

This booklet highlights some ways you can help the older driver in your life to stay mobile safely.

How safe are older drivers?

New Zealanders aged 65 and over are projected to make up a quarter of the population by 2051. This means over the next few decades there will be more older drivers on our roads than ever before.

Older drivers as a group are relatively safe - most drive conservatively, travel fewer kilometres overall than other drivers and do not deliberately drive unsafely.

However, the older population is unique in that they are subject to unpredictable health and cognitive changes that may affect their ability to drive safely. Around two percent of drivers involved in serious crashes are aged 80 or over - but because of their greater frailty, they're more likely to suffer significant injuries and take longer to recover.

Why should I get involved?

Driving is a complicated task, requiring continuous concentration and good health. The ageing process can affect a range of skills essential to driving - including eyesight, memory, decision-making and reaction times. Because this process is usually gradual, it can be difficult for the driver to notice and take action to address any potential problems.

Often, family and friends are the first to pick up on any areas of concern, particularly if they drive with an older person regularly. They may also be in the best position to assist an older friend or relative who wants to improve or reduce their driving.

What to look for

Observing driving behaviour over time can help you pick up any changes in driving ability.

Here are some things to look out for, ranked from minor to serious (these are only examples - you could notice other things which might be cause for concern).

While a one-off occurrence may not be a problem, if any of the behaviours listed occur frequently, it's likely that your older friend or relative is experiencing difficulties driving.

Driver mentions they're not as confident as they once were.
Driver is having difficulty turning to see when reversing.
Driver is easily distracted.
Other drivers honk their horns.
You notice scratches or dents on the driver's car, mailbox or garage.
Driver is visibly agitated or irritated while driving.
Driver drives too fast or too slowly for the conditions.
Driver fails to spot a hazard (such as a pedestrian running across the road).
Driver relies on a co-pilot (a passenger giving them instructions while driving).
Driver has a 'near miss'.
Driver fails to keep within their lane.
Driver receives an infringement offence notice (traffic ticket).
Driver gets lost in familiar places.
Driver is involved in a crash in which they have some degree of fault.
Driver fails to stop at a Stop sign or red light.
Driver confuses the accelerator and brake pedals.
Driver stops in traffic for no apparent reason.

Some issues can be addressed through additional vehicle features, driver refresher courses or physical therapy. However, other more serious behaviours need to be addressed urgently to prevent the driver harming themselves or others.

How can I help?

Regularly ask your older friend or relative about the state of their health - and encourage them to talk about any concerns, including those which might affect their driving.
Offer to accompany them when they're choosing a new car - and discuss helpful features such as automatic transmission, an antilock braking system (ABS), special blind spot mirrors, and seats and doors that enable them to get in and out more easily.
If they are thinking of moving homes, discuss some of the things they might need to look at - such as proximity to shopping centres, friends and family, good public transport and footpaths.
Offer lifts when they may otherwise be driving out of their comfort zone - for example, if they need to travel out of their local area.
Don't overburden them with running errands for you or other members of your family.
Encourage older friends and relatives to stay physically and mentally healthy with exercise and other interests. A healthy body and mind are great assets for safe driving.
Encourage your older driver to attend Safe with Age, the refresher course for mature road users. Safe with Age is a free classroombased course presented over four hours. It allows drivers aged 55 years and over to re-familiarise themselves with traffic rules and road safety information specific to their local area, as well as build confidence on the road. More information.

When it's time to reduce or stop driving

If you are worried about your older friend or relative's driving in particular situations, it can be difficult to know how to raise the subject with them.

It's important to remain calm and respectful, and to focus on the specific behaviour that is making you concerned - not on their driving in general.

Depending on your relationship with the older driver, they may be more likely to listen to another family member or friend, so it may be helpful to agree beforehand who will approach the person concerned.

Keep in mind that retiring from driving is rarely a sudden process. Your older friend or relative might be able to continue driving safely with physical therapy, modification of their vehicle and/or by avoiding situations in which they don't feel confident, such as night driving or making longer journeys.

Furthermore, if the problem is one that friends and family can help with, you're more likely to be met with a positive response than if you raise concerns about their driving without offering any support.

For example, there may be a special occasion coming up and you're concerned that the venue is too far away for them to drive or that it's not safe for them to be driving home after dark - you could offer them a lift, or arrange alternative transport or a place to stay overnight. If you've noticed that they're finding the local supermarket car park a challenge, you could offer them your old computer to enable them to do online shopping - or find out which local shops do home delivery.

Take the time to find out about alternative transport options for your older driver - it might range from bus timetables to community or volunteer organisations. Listen to what your older friend or relative needs and wants, and how that fits with their changing lifestyle.

Things to think about:

How regular and reliable is public transport? Is it easy for an older person to get on and off the buses and trains?
If their health prevents them from walking, would an electricpowered mobility scooter be helpful?
Is there any community transport provided by agencies or volunteers?
Is there a reliable taxi service? While taxis can be perceived as expensive, the cost of running an older, small car can be somewhere in the region of $1,500 to $2,500 per year (not counting the value of the car itself and its depreciation). That's a lot of taxi fares!

See the Resources section for more information.

When your older driver won't listen

If your older friend or relative insists that their driving is fine but you are still concerned, you may need to take a more direct approach.

It may also take several conversations before the person is convinced to take action - and you may need to enlist the help of other friends and family members to get your point across.

You could also suggest the older driver visits their doctor for a check up, to make sure their health status hasn't changed or that their medication isn't affecting their driving. Offer to go with them, if that would help.

Obviously if the older driver has recently experienced significant health changes, recent 'near misses' or crashes, it will be doubly important to discuss with them limiting or stopping driving. If you feel your older friend or relative's driving poses an urgent safety risk, but they remain resistant to discussing the problem, you should contact their doctor directly to discuss your concerns. If appropriate, the doctor will notify Land Transport NZ and the older driver may then be required to book an appointment with the doctor for a new Medical certificate for driver licence. If the doctor isn't satisfied that the driver is safe to drive, they could refer them for an On-road Safety Test or a specialist assessment to determine whether the driver has a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive safely.

Older drivers in rural areas

A network of community transport services exists in some rural areas. Though not as frequent and varied as city services, public transport is also available in some rural communities. Volunteer services might also be available.

Find out what is available in your older driver's community from the local medical practice, library or local council. Get to know their neighbours (if you don't already), and be prepared to do some extra driving yourself.

Resources

Safe with Age - a refresher course for mature road users

Designed for all road users aged 55 and over, Safe with Age is a free classroom-based course held over four hours. Attendees have the opportunity to share experiences and to reflect on their own driving, as well as brushing up on road rules.

They receive a useful workbook, a certificate of attendance and a $30 subsidy voucher that can be put towards an optional practical coaching and assessment drive with a Safe with Age-approved driving instructor.

The practical coaching and assessment drive is designed to help older drivers feel more confident behind the wheel. The instructor will observe their driving, highlight any areas needing improvement and advise on how best to address them. A written assessment is provided.

To find out more, or to enrol, contact any of the following:

your local Age Concern office (look in your phone book for your local branch)
your local Road Safety Coordinator (at your local council)
your nearest regional office of Land Transport NZ - ask to speak to the Education Advisor (look in your phone book for your local branch)
the Land Transport NZ help desk - 0800 699 000.

Private course providers

The New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA) also runs a programme specifically designed to keep older drivers in the driving seat for as long as possible. It consists of two 45-minute refresher sessions in a comfortable non-testing environment, designed to restore good driving habits and skills. For more information, please contact AA Driver Training on 0800 223 748 or visit www.nzaa.co.nz.

Community transport schemes and subsidies

The Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367 222), your local branch of Age Concern and your local council can advise you on:

community transport schemes and subsidies available in your area, for example, the Total Mobility Scheme, which offers vouchers for discounts on taxi fares for people with disabilities
other organisations in your area that may provide resources and equipment for people with disabilities.

Occupational therapist driving assessors

Occupational therapists undertake assessments specifically designed to check the effect of medical conditions, disability and ageing on the skills needed for safe driving. Where appropriate, they can suggest ways to help remain a safe driver, including advice on suitable vehicles and equipment to improve safety. You can find an occupational therapy driving assessment service by contacting Enable Information on 0800 171 981, or check the find a therapist section at www.nzaot.com.

Page created: 9 November 2006