You are growing old, and driving has become too much of a task for you. That’s not surprising, because as you age, changes in your health affect your ability to drive, the most common of which are slow reaction times. Here is how you can improve your driving experience, minimizing the effect of deteriorating health.
- Drive slowly– ensure that your speed remains in an average range. You may have to avoid the highways though, where speed limits are often exercised.
- Maintain a distance equal to the length of two to three carsbetween the vehicles in front of you and behind you. This will give you more space and more time to slow down or stop the car if required.
- Try to avoid left turns and U-turnsas much as possible. Research suggests that drivers over 65 are often involved in car crashes which have left turns. If you still have to use left turns, use the designated ones at intersections which are comparatively easier and safer.
- Make sure there are no distractionswhen you drive. Your phone is definitely a big no, but other than that, you shouldn’t also be listening to music or talking to your fellow passengers. Your entire focus should be on driving and the road ahead; you should not be involved in anything else, trivial it may be.
- Try not to drive during peak hours or on roads that are busy or congested. Traffic jams are stressful, requiring high levels of attention and quick responses.
- Go to places that are close to your home, and try not to let your trip exceed more than an hour or two.
- Working out regularlykeeps both your body and mind fit. Thus your health doesn’t decline so much.