Kathy Collins Director of Member Resources - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Kathy CollinsDirector of Member ResourcesStaying Put in New Canaan

STAYING PUT

SAFELY BEHIND THE WHEELSlide2

Older Drivers Are At Greater Risk of Injury and Death in an Auto AccidentSlide3

How Does Age Affect Driving?

Vision

Gradually deteriorates over time

Physically

Reaction time slows down

Hearing

Hearing loss makes it difficult to hear warning sounds

Chronic Health Conditions

Impact ability to drive safely

Cognitive

Takes more time to process information, to remember locations, respond in a timely manner to traffic signalsSlide4

Staying Safe Behind the WheelStay Healthy!

Exercise on a regular basis to maintain strength and flexibility

Having a yearly physical

Have yearly eye and hearing tests

Eat Well

Sleep WellSlide5

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

Know Your Medications

69% of people over 55 use one or more medications that may impair driving ability

To learn how medications can affect driving speak with your doctor or pharmacistSlide6

Are driving issues caused by irreversible or corrective factors? Slide7

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

Adapt to Changes – Drive with Confidence

Drive during daylight and in good weather

Drive with someone else in the car

Drive shorter distances

Drive when there is less traffic on the roadsSlide8

Stay Safe Behind the Wheel

Drive Smart

Increase you distance when following cars to allow more time to slow down or stop

Minimize dangerous

left

turns:

3 right turns or

intersections

with designated left-hand turn lanes  Slide9

Don’t Text or Talk on the Cell PhoneSlide10

Watch out for distracted driversSlide11

Should I Be Concerned About My Ability To Drive Safely?

Close Calls

D

ents

and

scrapes

Getting

lost,

in

familiar

locations

Easily distracted

Difficulty concentrating

T

rouble seeing

T

rouble moving

foot

from pedals

C

onfusing

the two

pedals

Misjudging

distance

Experiencing road

rage

Other drivers’ road rageHead and neck movementTraffic tickets or "warnings”Slide12

If You Are Concerned About Your DrivingTalk To Your Adult Children

Thirty-six percent of adult children polled by the Web site 

Caring.com

 and the National Safety Council said that talking to their parents about the need to stop driving would be harder than discussing funeral plans

or

selling the family

home.Slide13

Driving Assessments – Clinical and Behind the Wheel Assessments

In New Canaan, the Lewis School of Driving will perform the in-vehicle assessment for $85. 203-972-0242

http://www.lewisschoolofdriving.com/

Norwalk Hospital, Driver Rehabilitation

203-852-3400

https://www.norwalkhospital.org/departments/outpatient-rehabilitation-and-physical-therapy-services/specialty-rehabilitation-programs/driver-rehabilitation

Clinical and behind the wheel assessment.Slide14

If You Stop DrivingDon’t Sit Home

Important to maintain your independence and avoid isolation

Older adults who stopped driving made:

15% fewer trips to the doctor

59% fewer trips to eat out or shop

65% fewer trips to visit family and friendsSlide15

If You Stop Driving

Don’t Sit Home

Make a list of your usual car trips: shopping, church, hairdresser, doctor, dinner with friends

AND

Consider

alternatives to

driving

Riding

with

friends

Staying Put

The

GetAbout

Uber

or

LyftSlide16

Connecticut DMV License Renewal ProcessThe fee for a six year renewal is $72

Individuals over age 65 have the option of renewing for six or two years. The two year renewal is $24License renewals must be processed in person at your local DMV or AAA location. Your current license must be presented and the renewal application form

No tests are required for renewalSlide17

Thank you for attendingStaying Safe Behind the Wheel

Lapham

Community CenterSlide18

Sources

AAA Foundation for Traffic SafetyAARP

Center for Disease Control

DMV Senior Guide For Safe Driving

Transportation

for America Study (2011)

U.S. Department of Transportation