The Savvy Senior
Driving Alternatives
By Robert Goodman, MSW
In light of some recent accidents in Century Village, including one that severely injured a resident, I think people need to look seriously at their ability to continue driving. I know it is a hard to decision to make to give up driving but your safety and the safety of others is of paramount importance. One of the hardest things in life to do is to give up driving. Giving up driving affects one’s independence and self-esteem. If vision, hearing and reflexes are impaired you need to look at driving alternatives.
As our population ages, so does the number of older drivers. Some drivers outlive the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Cognitive and sensory losses are gradual and often the driver is unaware of the changes.
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, the leading cause of injury-related deaths in 65-74 year olds are crash injuries. The second leading cause of injury related deaths (after falls) in 75-85 year olds are crash injuries. We read countless numbers of stories in the newspaper and on television about older drivers who confuse the gas and brake pedals and crash into buildings or other people.
In 2011 17.6% of the population was 65+. 19% of drivers were over age 65. 13.9% of older drivers were involved in crashes, 19.4% were fatal crashes and 16.2% involved injuries. (Source: http://www.safeandmobileseniors.org/FloridaCoalition.htm).
Poor vision, hearing, memory, and reaction time negatively affect one’s ability to drive. The most radical increase of at-risk crashes comes with medical conditions which impact cognitive skills. Co-piloting does not help.
When driving affects one’s own safety and the safety of others, it is time to stop driving. Indicators that it might be time to stop driving include confusing the brake and gas pedals, getting lost, near misses or multiple accidents, stopping in traffic for no reason, confusion at exits, parking inappropriately, hitting curbs, driving at inappropriate speeds, delayed responses to unexpected situations, not anticipating dangerous situations, or forgetting how to start the car or where things are on the car dashboard. Having a spouse or friend guide you as you drive is not an alternative.
The Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy publishes a booklet “Florida Guide for Aging Drivers”. This book has information that can help older drivers evaluate their driving skills. Questions include assessing how other drivers react to your driving and how well you function behind the wheel. To receive a copy Email them at: safe-mobility-for-life@fsu.edu. Another resource is the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition at http://www.safeandmobileseniors.org.
One of the main fears of someone faced with giving up driving is loss of independence. Prepare now for the time when it may be necessary to give up driving. List your regular transportation needs and the modes of transportation available in our community. Compare your transportation needs with your transportation alternatives and the cost of driving and maintaining your car with the cost of alternative transportation.
How well do you fit into your car? How safe is your car? CarFit is a program that looks at the safety and comfort of one’s car. Each February Congregation Torah Ohr sponsors this program. CarFit checks safety features like seating, mirrors, lights, and other aspectso f your vehicle.
There are programs in our community that can help one evaluate his/her ability to drive safely. Florida Atlantic University Memory Wellness Center has a driver safety evaluation program. For information call 561.297-0502. Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital has a similar program. For information call 561.495-3634. AARP sponsors a driver safety program. For locations in this area call 888-2277669 or log onto www.aarp.org/drive. Florida offers a non-drivers ID card to place the driver’s license as a photo ID. This is available at local Driver’s License bureaus.
Living in Century Village gives us many alternatives to driving. We have just acquired new wheelchair (and walker) accessible buses that take residents to local shopping centers, supermarkets, as well as the library. Schedules are available at the Clubhouse information desk.
The County’s Palm Tran bus #91 travels eastbound to Town Center Mall, Boca Community Hospital, Mizner Park, and other destinations every half hour. The westbound bus travels to Publix, West Boca Hospital, Western Beef, and Sandalfoot Square every hour. The #91 bus connects with other routes that go to the VA hospital and other destinations in Palm Beach County. For bus route information contact Palm Tran at 877.930-4287. The #91 bus schedule is available in the clubhouse.
Palm Tran Connection is a door-to-door service that transports people who cannot use public transportation to any location in Palm Beach County between Jupiter and Boca Raton. For an application contact Palm Tran Connection at 877.870-9849.
Jewish Family Services provides a transportation program $50/year. They provide six round trip rides a month in the Boca Delray area. The client must be mobile and able to get in and out of the car. For information call 561-852-3333.
The Volen Center provides transportation in the Boca Delray area. For information on services and cost call 561-395-8920 ext 228 & 229. They also provide transportation to the Volen Center which offers a variety of services for seniors.
When driving safety becomes an issue, make a confidential report to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Florida law requires any physician, person or agency who knows of any licensed driver’s or applicant’s mental or physical disability that prevents him/her from driving safely should report this to the Florida Division of Driver’s Licenses at 850.617-3814 or fill out Form #72190 which can be found at www.flhsmv.gov/forms/72190.html. The report should be made in writing giving the full name, date of birth, address and a description of the alleged physical or mental disability of any person over 15 years of age that could affect the driving ability. No civil action can be brought against any person who provides this information.
As a service to Century Village residents who give up driving, I am willing to familiarize them with local bus services. For information contact Robert Goodman at We Care at 487-2827.