Older Drivers

1. Plan ahead, especially for long trips. Choosing familiar routes and avoiding dense or high speed traffic can maximize your driving enjoyment.
2. Avoid driving during high-traffic hours. Mornings after 9 a.m after a good night’s sleep avoids the morning commuter, while returning home before 4 pm. avoids the evening commuter.
3. Give your planned route and time schedule to a family member or friend who will be staying home. And agree to check-in times so no one will worry where you are or how your trip is progressing.
4. Avoid prolonged hours of driving without taking breaks.
5. Keep your vehicle and yourself finely tuned.Responsible driving calls for two well cared for machines.
6. Use medication correctly. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if any medications you are taking might cause fatigue or impair your driving. Massachusetts is a self-reporting state, which means it is your responsibility to report any medical condition that may affect your ability to drive.
7. Strength in numbers; Avoid driving alone whenever possible. Sharing the journey with another can help avoid fatigue and make the trip more enjoyable.
8. Communicate with other drivers. Use lights, headlights, brakes, hazard Lights and turn signals; also don’t hesitate to use your horn
9. Look ahead.Good drivers get a jump on trouble by looking far down the road and making adjustments before encountering problems that may involve other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or animals.
10. Look twice at oncoming traffic when turning left and entering roadways. Statistics show the two most common reasons for collisions for elder drivers are left hand turns and failure to yield the right of way.