Ellen Waldman

Over the past 10 years that I’ve been writing a column, driving has been the topic five times. Why is that? Because, understandably, giving up the keys to their car is often a major issue for many people.

Oregon has almost 1 million drivers on the road ages 65-plus. It has specific rules for handling older drivers who may have become unsafe behind the wheel. Specifically, it requires drivers age 50 and older to pass a vision screening when they renew their licenses; accepts requests from family members and others to conduct unsafe driver investigations; and requires doctors who diagnose patients with conditions that may make them unsafe drivers to report the diagnosis.

Additionally, drivers who are 50 and older who renew their licenses must renew in person at a DMV office every eight years. At the discretion of the DMV, they may also require a written or road test.

There are also possible license restrictions they can impose including requiring glasses or corrective contact lenses, an additional outside mirror on a vehicle, driving a vehicle with automatic transmission, and no nighttime driving.

Here are two links that will provide you with ways to document your wishes, should you no longer be safe to drive. With aging, and especially with a diagnosis of dementia, having this in place helps friends and family know how to support you. You might include this with your estate planning documents.

Here’s the driver planning agreement from AAA: exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Driver-Planning-Agreement.pdf

Here is the driving contract from the Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-driving-info-contract-ts.pdf

If dementia is the issue, this site helps with having these challenging conversations. From the Alzheimer’s Association site: “Driving requires the ability to react quickly to a variety of circumstances. Because of this, a person living with Alzheimer’s will, at some point, be unable to drive.” — alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/dementia-driving

This link is to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DRIVEWELL website: “You have been a safe driver for years. For you, driving means freedom and control. As you get older, changes in your body and your mind can affect how safely you drive.” — nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/10900a-drivewell-handout-alzheimers.pdf

Kaiser Permanente has a decision aid that helps you figure out if you are still able to drive safely: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.healthy-aging-is-it-time-to-stop-driving.zx3961

Want local resources? The Providence Driver Assessment (541-732-5686) is a wonderful service available here. An occupational therapist works with each client to determine driver safety. An on-the-road driving test is not part of the evaluation. The assessment includes: review of the client’s driving history; visual screening; range of motion, strength, and coordination; cognitive and perceptual screening; and evaluation of functional mobility. There is a cost associated with this.

The AARP Driver Safety Program at Providence Medford Medical Center (541-732-6336) is a refresher course for drivers age 50 and older. From their site: “Participants will learn about current rules of the road, how to operate a vehicle more safely and adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.”

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to stop driving, you’re not alone. But if you must stop, find some transportation options that will work for you.

Maybe it’s Uber or Valley Lift or your friendly neighbor. But don’t put yourself or others in danger because “you’ve been driving for 60 years”. If this is your reason to stay behind the wheel, at least get evaluated to be sure you’re still safe on the road.