Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving

[Anonymous]

If you have a parent who is elderly and still driving, PLEASE do some honest reflection on whether he/she is still road safe and take action if not. Driving laws were not written for people who live to be 95 - they were written for people who live to be 70 and there is no change in sight so we must handle ourselves for the safety of everyone on the road.

And for anyone who is going to @me - especially in the age of Uber, the safety of others is not less important than an elderly persons desire to go somewhere. It’s not right, it’s not safe, and it’s not ok.

[Anonymous]

We try, OP. My dad lives in a European capital that has excellent public transportation. He’s 88 and still *needs* his car to play golf.

[Anonymous]

Elderly parents are well-known for their willingness to take their kids' advice. They would immediately surrender their keys when asked.

[Anonymous]

I like that in Japan if you're 75 you have to pass a cognitive test to keep driving. I think that would be a great idea here - reaction times slow down.

[Anonymous]

Took my dad’s car in February of this year. He was absolutely livid for months. Called the cops on me for theft once.

It’s not just some easy casual thing you do.

[Anonymous]

You can contact the DVM if you think an elderly parent needs to stop driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Took my dad’s car in February of this year. He was absolutely livid for months. Called the cops on me for theft once.

It’s not just some easy casual thing you do.

Definitely easier said than done but also easier than dealing with lawsuits and guilt once a tragedy occurs - remember the Parthenon incident of a few years back? And that’s just one that got press - and one of VERY few that actually confirmed it was an elderly driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Took my dad’s car in February of this year. He was absolutely livid for months. Called the cops on me for theft once.

It’s not just some easy casual thing you do.

And I forgot to say - you did the right and very hard thing that SO many of us dont. Hopefully your dad has come around to see that!

[Anonymous]

We have a neighbor police officer who helped us take our dad's keys. Another option is to alert an eye doctor or primary care physician of your concerns they can contact the MVA

[Anonymous]

These are great suggestions thank you. Very very worried about this clearly.

[Anonymous]

Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

[Anonymous]

He won’t give up driving, even though doctor took it away - he sued to get it back. I just make sure I drive him anywhere he wants. But he will never give up driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elderly parents are well-known for their willingness to take their kids' advice. They would immediately surrender their keys when asked.

+1

My brother finally convinced my dad to sell his car. A couple months later, my dad changed his mind and bought a new one. My dad literally just ubered to a dealership, saw the car he wanted on the lot, and bought it on the spot.
Sometimes, unless you can literally be with your parent 24/7, there is no way to stop them.

[Anonymous]

Nope!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

OP is back for round 2.