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Subscribe to RSSTalking with an elderly parent, spouse or friend about turning in their car keys can be a sensitive issue for many families. But with 600 U.S. drivers over age 65 involved in car accidents each day, it's a conversation everyone should be prepared to have. What are the warning signs that someone may need to stop driving? And how should you approach a conversation with your loved one?
"Nightly News" held a web chat with experts from the AARP Driver Safety Team on Thursday night. We accomodated as many people as possible. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. You can read the questions and answers by clicking on the box below.
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(Cleveland, Ohio) – In advance of tonight’s episode of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, please note the
work Keeping Us Safe has been doing in support of older drivers and their families.
Keeping Us Safe is a national organization based in Cleveland, Ohio that provides services to older drivers
and their families, as well as services for professionals that may find themselves involved with the issue of an older driver’s diminishing skills.
Keeping Us Safe has developed the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional Certification program. This training program was designed to provide professionals with the additional tools necessary to help older drivers and their families work through the complicated issue of diminishing driving skills caused by the aging process.
To date, Keeping Us Safe has “Beyond Driving with Dignity” professionals trained and deployed in several states. During the month of March, this certification program is being offered in Los Angeles, Tampa and Seattle. In May, 2012, the program will be presented in Toronto, effectively making Keeping Us Safe an international organization.
The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program is not built around the premeditated goal of “taking the keys away” from an older driver. Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe and a retired Ohio State Trooper, explains “the program is designed to help the older driver and concerned family members make appropriate decisions on the future of the individual’s safe driving career. It is true that in certain circumstances, this may involve assisting the older driver in making a smooth and permanent transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.”
The certification program is based on Keeping Us Safe’s self-assessment program for older drivers, along with the recently published “Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers”.
Earlier this week, Keeping Us Safe launched a new program to train law enforcement personnel nationwide
titled "Driving Under the Influence of Dementia". Gurwell and his company developed this unique training program as a way to give-back to the law enforcement community, and to simultaneously help keep the nation’s communities safer.
When asked what prompted the development of the Beyond Driving with Dignity program, Gurwell explains "It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering
dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families to bring a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door".
More information on the Certification program is available
at:
http://www.keepingussafe.org/linked/brochurebddprofessionalcertification020712.pdf
I had to take my dad's keys away when he was no longer safe to drive.
Of course, you are going to get the inevitable protest.
One the things that I had in my corner was support from my mother who was afraid for her life riding with him.
But even if you don't have that. This is something that you cannot hide from. Sweep under the rug. Or pray will just take care of itself.
This is your responsibility to both your parent(s) and your community.
Take the keys away when it is time and don't back down and don't take no for an answer.
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Yes, there is a time for people to hand over the keys. However, if you check those accidents you may find they were actually caused by young people who follow too close, cut in, speed, and run red lights. As a 73 year old driver, I do not impede traffic with a slower pace; I've taken the AARP Safe Driving classes. With my first book published at age 72 last year and the second to be released next week, I find I'm driving between Denver and Fort Collins a lot to speak. It's amazing how many young people are texting, talking on the phone, speeding, not paying attention, and cutting in too closely. I watched a motorcycle accident happen in that manner. I suppose the next government intervention will be to outlaw drivers 65 and above whether they are capable, safe drivers or not.
I tackled this when g-pa turned 90 while he was living in Broward County and I was spending a few months a year visiting... I wasn't thrilled with his older car which we shared when I stayed with him, so I asked him if he would mind if I traded it in for a new 'used' car. We went together to the local dealer and I bought him a 2 yr old red sebring convertible, had him do the test drive and the car was actually the same wheelbase etc he was used to.
The kicker here is that now he was driving my car, and we had insurance covering both of us. Minor shopping plaza 'bumps' in the parking lot would no longer be a private matter, but something we discussed. After 2 years he thanked me but decided it was time. He turned over the keys of his own accord, I drove the car North to NYC and he soon followed, spending his final 4+ years closer to his kin.
I really like the fact my grandpa got to have a red convertible (which he never used as such) as his final car. At 90 a healthy man deserves such and I'm glad I was able to swing it for him. Minimally Annual Vision Tests should be mandatory after a certain age.
Question: "What is the AARP's position on gericide?"
Kidding, in bad taste.
But seriously, just make folks do routine driver safety testing every X years after they turn 60 (i.e., get in the car with an instructor, park it, drive it for a bit and generally don't kill people). Don't we already require this? Shouldn't be controvercial. If we're worried about discrimination against the elderly, let's just have everybody do it...the concern is, in fact, euqally applicable to people of all ages.
Okay, glad we settled that...now to the economy, declining US prowess abroad, abortion, drug legalization and capital punishment.
The DMV needs to implement testing when drivers licenses are up for renewal once a driver reaches the age of 75+, (A sensory test should be given to determine reaction time to sounds, moving images and depth perception).
Reaction time will objectively be tabulated which will determine pass/fail. A follow-up test should be given two months later to validate test results. At that time, if the driver fails, they should not be permitted to drive any longer.
Does anyone that this effect even know what 'chat' is in this day and age?
Judging by the grammar you're using.....you are clearly a victim of Obama sponsored Government Public Schooling.
A teenager with a cell phone driving and texting is 10 times more dangerous than an older person thats been driving all his or her life. Think before you start taking keys away from the wrong one.
ITN has the solution for older drivers: a ride pool. Google ITNAmerica.
"The transition from driving is a decision with far-reaching consequences. We’ve added years to our life span, but our transportation systems have not kept pace with the change. Staying mobile and close to people who support and fulfill us as we age requires new thinking and new transportation options. "
AARP is an Organization run & financially supported by Obama. These bunch of AARP hacks have no business telling "ANYONE" who can, & cannot drive. AARP is your typical Marxist group, funded by the sorry likes of George Soros, and the maggots at MSNBC.
Screw the AARP. ....keep on driving!!
Did Rachael Maddow undergo a Sex change operation? This arrogant, self centered, bigoted "little boy" actually believes Obama was sent down from the heavens.
Can't wait to see her/his face the morning after Obama is defeated.
I'm convinced that MSNBC's Communist newscaster, Mykka Brezhinski, is "doing" Rachael Maddow & Chris "tingle up my leg" Matthews.
Or is that Chris "I'll have another drink" Matthews....the news anchor who always has that spit running out of one side of his mouth. Gross.