From the time we’re teenagers driving offers a sense of independence and freedom. No matter how many years or miles pass, the feeling doesn’t fade. That’s why many of us cling so tightly to our keys and avoid giving up driving. But, as we age, we have to consider safe driving for older adults. We have to find ways to balance our independence with the safety of ourselves and everyone else on the road.
Tips for Safe Driving for Older Adults
Eventually we all must consider giving up driving. Sometimes, this may be due to physical changes or problems with memory. Other times, it may be due to safety. These tips for safe driving for older adults can help you stay safe on the roads and know when it might be time to think about not driving anymore.
Don’t Drive at Night
One of the first challenges you may have with driving as you age is driving at night. Vision changes can make it more difficult to see clearly when it’s dark. Not only is it harder to see because it’s dark, age-related vision changes can make you more likely to experience glare from other cars’ lights.
Plan Ahead for Weather
Inclement weather increases the likelihood of crashes. In fact, an average of 12% of all crashes are considered weather-related. This includes rain, ice and snow, fog, and strong winds, among others. Age-related changes with vision and reaction times can make it even more likely for older adults to be involved in weather-related accidents. To ensure better safe driving for older adults, make sure you check the weather before you head out and avoid driving in inclement weather as much as possible.
Get Your Vision, Hearing, and Health Checked
Changes with vision and hearing, and other health conditions, can impact safe driving for older adults. Regularly monitoring your vision, hearing, and health can improve your driving safety. Having the right glasses prescription helps you see the roads better and hearing aids can help you hear horns and sirens and recognize possible problems with your car.
Increase Follow Distance and Avoid Rush Hour
As we age, our reaction times decrease. This is a big factor in safe driving for older adults. To counteract a slower reaction time, you need to give yourself more time to stop. Increasing your following distance can help you have the time you need to react to a car stopping in front of you. Avoiding rush hour, and driving at times when there are fewer cars on the road, is also a great way to improve safe driving for older adults.
Take a Safety Course
One of the best ways to assess safe driving for older adults, and improve safety, is to take a safety course. Similar to drivers’ education that you may have taken before getting your license, there are refresher courses designed specifically to promote safe driving for older adults.
Limit or Remove Distractions
Driving in 2025 looks a lot different than it used to. Now we have cellphones and new cars have built-in computers. These are new distractions that can affect safe driving for older adults. In fact, cell phone usage contributes to 12.2% of fatal car accidents each year. For anyone to drive safely, these distractions must be limited or avoided. Older adults, and most drivers, should consider turning off the ringer on their cell phones while driving and putting their phones out of reach.
Safe Driving for Older Adults in Senior Living
Senior living can be a great solution to safe driving for older adults. Most senior living communities offer transportation for residents. Sometimes, transportation is included in your monthly fees. Other times, there may be small fees for longer trips or if the transportation driver needs to stay and wait. Transportation is often available for medical appointments, shopping trips, and other driving needs. Plus, senior living communities often have off-site events where residents ride together to restaurants, stores, movies, sporting events, live performances, and more.
Safe Driving for Older Adults at The Ohio Masonic Communities
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, safe driving for older adults is important. We don’t want you to give up driving before you have to. But, we do want to help you stay safe while you’re driving and make sure you have other transportation options when driving yourself is no longer safe.
Many of our independent living residents still drive. In fact, most of our villa homes include a garage or covered carport. Some independent living residents even drive golf carts on our campus to get from their villa to our main buildings.
We also offer transportation services to every resident. Whether it’s for an appointment, a shopping trip, or something else, we’ve got you covered. Our residents also benefit from the convenience of having most of what they need without leaving our campus. As a resident, you can enjoy meals in our restaurant-style dining rooms, get pampered at our full service salons, have your groceries delivered, and more.
The Ohio Masonic Communities offers three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more about one of our communities, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.