Hanging up the Keys

The average person outlives their ability to drive by 7 to 10 years. During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Mass DoT and the Registry of Motor Vehicles talk about planning for the inevitable conversation about hanging up the keys. 

What is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week?

06 December 2024 - CAPE COD, MA -  Drivers 75 years old and older have a higher rate of accidents per mile driven - and during Older Driver Safety Awareness week, Mass DoT and the Registry of Motor Vehicles say planning and open conversation can keep everyone safer.

How long can people drive?

According Michele Ellicks from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, people can drive as long as they have the physical and mental ability to drive - age alone isn't the determining factor. But on average by about 75, many people have experienced health issues that could impact driving - and the data reflects that in the accident rates. That's why Massachusetts requires drivers over the age of 75 to renew their licenses in person and take an eye exam rather than auto-renewing online or by mail. The Registry has a special dedicated phone number specifically for helping older drivers make appointments: 857-368-8005

What are some signs of driving challenges?

A host of signs could suggest some type of impairment that could impact driving. These might include inappropriate speed (either too fast or two slow), difficulty seeing road signs or people along the side of the road, difficultly seeing in the dark or at dusk, or forgetting how to get from place to place on a familiar route. Underlying causes might be physical weakness, cognitive decline, or prescription side effects that could change response and reaction time, vision, or ability to brake and steer. The Registry's website includes a special section highlighting what to watch out for.

What is driving retirement planning?

This year's awareness week focuses on retirement planning - for driving. Eventually, everyone reaches a point where driving is no longer safe and it will be time to hang up the keys. For many people, they see this happen first with their grandparents or parents - and they may be the ones to have the uncomfortable conversation about hanging up the keys.

Pre-planning provides a way to make those conversations a bit more planned. When both the driver and their family pre-plan approaches to car-free transportation the transition can be far less jarring. Ellicks points to local senior centers as key to this planning; they offer both transportation resources as well as, in some cases, transportation services as well. Tips for getting around vary from community to community and situation to situation, but planning offers a saner path to finding those resources than waiting until a driving crisis hits.

What about technology?

In-vehicle technologies, like crash avoidance and lane tracking, bring a new suite of safety tools for drivers. Research shows that these features make a difference - but the catch is they need to be used. Another tip for older drivers is to take the time and ask the questions to learn how to use these technologies; they might be new and unfamiliar, but using them can add up to safer road use.

How should driving challenge be addressed?

Ellicks says that one of the most effective ways to understand an older driver's change in abilities is to simply drive with them. If risk factors seem apparent, the observed drive can be a specific way to ask questions - at a neutral time, not in the middle of the drive! In addition, health care providers, other adults who have left behind driving, or different friends and family might be conduits for the conversation. If all else fails, law enforcement can also help.

The bottom line in Massachusetts is that each driver is responible for keeping the roads safe. Judgement on "keeping the keys" lies with each individual - and together we all make the roads a place where other drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles can safely co-exist.