Admitting that you may not be able to drive any longer isn’t easy. By giving up the keys, you are giving up a lot of independence! You’ll need to depend on friends and family for a lot of your transportation. How do you know when it’s time to turn in your driver’s license?
Making an objective decision may be very difficult. Ask a trusted friend or family member for an honest evaluation of your driving skills. Use the following checklist to help look at your driving ability objectively.
- Have you recently been involved in vehicle accidents that could have been prevented?
- Are you receiving more traffic warnings or tickets?
- Do your passengers feel safe riding with you?
- Has anyone refused to ride with you?
- Is your car the slowest one on the highway or expressway?
- Do you have trouble maintaining the minimum speed limit?
- Do other drivers honk at you a lot?
- Can you clearly see all traffic signs and signals?
- Can you clearly see all directional indicators and brake lights on other cars?
- Has your reaction time slowed down?
- Do you feel anxious at busy intersections?
- Do you experience indecisiveness at busy intersections?
- Do you find your attention wandering?
- Do you find it hard to stay in your lane or on the road?
- Do you have difficulty seeing in the dark?
- Do you have difficulty seeing when it is raining or overcast?
- Do you have difficulty seeing on sunny days?
- Are you afraid to drive?
Review your answers to these questions with a loved one or close friend. If someone you trust suggests that you cut back on driving (or stop altogether), it may be in your best interests to give up the keys. Need a second opinion? Talk to your doctor about how your health issues, mental state, and medications may be affecting your driving.