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Driving and AMD In California this month, an 86 year old driver tragically lost control of his car and drove through a crowded Farmerís Market, killing 10 people and injuring dozens. The incident fueled an emotional public debate about older drivers, our state testing systems and who should be allowed to drive. This issue is a particularly sensitive one for seniors who also have macular degeneration or other conditions that impair their vision. Driving means independence and most people want to hold on to their cars as long as possible. When is it time to stop? Interestingly, one of the headline articles in the latest AARP Bulletin (in press long before the California tragedy) reports on a new research survey by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Age-Lab and The Hartford Financial Services Group. The study involved 3,824 drivers over age 50, asking them how and why they limited their driving. The study found that two-thirds of the drivers ìself-regulatedî their activities in the car, restricting their driving for certain condition. Time of day was a common factor, with some people choosing to stay home at night or dusk. Bad weather conditions and heavy traffic were other conditions. The article stated that, ìOver time, drivers developed conscious strategies to compensate for failing vision, slower reflexes and stiffer joints.î Statistically, older drivers are actually very safe drivers, although over age 75, the accident rate per mile increases. The study found that health and medical conditions contributed far more to driving restrictions than age alone. About ten percent of the nationís drivers are over 65. However, by 2030, when one in five Americans are over age 65, this percentage will skyrocket. Consider that 23-40% of people over age 65 have macular degeneration thatís a lot of drivers with a potential visual impairment. Making the Decision If your macular degeneration is causing a problem when you drive, you are most likely aware of it. Or, perhaps a friend or family member has pointed it out to you. Does this mean you should immediately stop driving? Not necessarily. What you should do immediately is ask yourself some critical questions. How are you functioning when you drive during the day? What about dusk, dawn and cloudy days? Bright sunlight? At night? Here are six important questions:
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may want to suspend your driving until you consult a specialist. If your answers indicate that you may have a problem under certain conditions (i.e., dim light or night) you may want to suspend your dirving under those conditions until you consult a specialist further. This questionnaire is from an excellent book, "Driving With Confidence, A Practical Guide to Driving With Low Vision" by Eli Peli and Doron Peli. Dr. Eli Peli is a Senior Scientist at the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. The book contains a practical program to help you maximize your chances of retaining your driving privileges. It also provides a detailed description of driving vision regulations in every state. Other useful resources include: AARP Driver Safety Program Largest classroom driver refresher course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older. It is intended to help older drivers improve their skills while teaching them to avoid accidents and traffic violations. http://www.aarp.org/55alive/AAA Safety Foundation for Traffic Tips on driving and resources for other transportation options. http://www.seniordrivers.org/home/toppage.cfm SUMMARY There are many ways to stay safe and maintain your independence. Just be attentive to your own abilities and find out all you can about your options. | ||||||||||||||||||
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