Driving is a very complex skill. It requires certain physical, visual and mental abilities. For example, we may find it more difficult to see while driving at night.
Most of us go to the doctor for regular physical check-ups. It's just as important to get a check-up for driving fitness. Self-awareness is the key to safe driving. The following questions can help you decide if you should seek formal help in evaluating your driving abilities. This information is about helping drivers assess their driving ability and providing information on how to drive Safer…Longer. Take this short driving assessment.
Hearing
With the car windows rolled up, can you hear a siren or horn?
Yes No
Do you hear the sound of your turn signals?
Yes No
Vision
Are objects clear and bright?
Yes No
Does night driving bother you?
Yes No
Do you see clearly at night?
Yes No
Can you go outside in the bright sunlight and see clearly right away?
Yes No
Can you see clearly over the steering wheel?
Yes No
Head and Neck
Can you turn your head an equal distance from one side to the other?
Yes No
Can you turn your head and neck far enough to see over your shoulder?
Yes No
Arms and Hands
Can you drive as far as you desire without your hands and arms being tired?
Yes No
Can you drive for 30 minutes without your fingers or arms becoming tingly or numb?
Yes No
Can you keep a firm but comfortable grip on the steering wheel with both
hands while keeping your elbows bent and relaxed?
Yes No
Can you lift your arm high enough to adjust the rearview mirror?
Yes No
Can you cross one hand over the other when turning the wheel?
Yes No
Legs and Feet
Can you depress the brake pedal with your knee bent?
Yes No
Can you sit for 15 minutes without your feet or legs becoming tingly or numb?
Yes No
Do you always use your right foot to depress the pedal?
Yes No
Can you bend your foot at least 10 degrees?
Yes No
If you answered no to any of the above questions, you may want to use the some tips and simple exercises which may help you drive safer…longer.
Cognitive
Do you have trouble deciding when to enter a lane of moving traffic?
Yes No
Do intersections confuse you?
Yes No
Does driving make you angry?
Yes No
In the past year, have you gotten a traffic ticket or had an accident?
Yes No
Have family or friends expressed concern about your driving?
Yes No
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're not alone. The fact is that the natural physical changes from normal aging affect your ability to drive safely. That's why drivers over 65 have more accidents per mile driven than any other age group except teenagers. Fortunately, you can cope with many of these changes by learning your limits and adjusting your driving.
