Elder Driving

While many elders equate the ability to drive with independence and fear losing this freedom, there are times when it no longer is safe for an older family member/friend to drive. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to tell an elderly family member/friend that he or she shouldn’t drive anymore. The family can help by being upbeat and positive and by arranging transportation through churches, community groups, or other sources. Enabling an elder to continue to enjoy activities, friends, and social outings can make the loss of driving privileges easier. However, if someone refuses to stop driving, it may be necessary to take tough action; this could involve having the physician write a prescription to stop driving, notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles, taking away the car keys, selling or disabling the car, and/or seeking help from the local police.

AMDA physicians in regions throughout the country have information and guidance on this topic. You can listen to practitioners offer insights about how to determine if it is still safe for an elderly family member/friend to drive and how to get them off the road without hurting their quality of life.*

Alva “Buzz” S. Baker, MD, CMD	Maryland
J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD	Missouri
Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD	Missouri
Steven Ferguson, MD, CMD	North Carolina
Mercedes Grajales-Zweigle, MD, CMD	California (Spanish)
Daniel Haimowitz, MD, FACP, CMD	Pennsylvania
Jay S. Luxenberg, MD	California
Anthony J. Lechich, MD	New York
Verna R. Sellers, MD, CMD, MPH	Virginia
*Requires a program that plays MP3 audio files