On the Arrive Alive website we have added a section on “Alzheimer’s and Road Safety”. As more people are getting older it is important to identify the warning signs of unsafe driving and the need to stop these people from driving their vehicles.
Everyone with irreversible dementia will eventually become unsafe to drive because of the degenerative, progressive nature of the brain disease. The question will always be: – at what point is someone unable to continue to drive safely?
It is important for the family to observe and keep a written record of observations to share with the person, family members and health care professionals.
Observations that might indicate the need to stop driving are:
• Forgetting how to locate familiar places
• Failing to observe traffic signals
• Incorrect signalling
• Making slow or poor decisions
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Becoming angry and confused while driving
• Hitting curbs
• Poor lane control
• Confusing the brake and gas pedals
• Returning from a routine drive later than usual. The person may be wandering and getting lost in the car.
• Decrease in confidence while driving
• Difficulty turning to see when backing up
• Riding the brake
• Easily distracted while driving
• Difficulty parking within a defined space
• Failure to notice activity on the side of the road
• Not anticipating potential dangerous situations
• Near misses
• Delayed response to unexpected situations
• Confusion at exits
• Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason
It has been said that in hindsight, many family members and caregivers regret permitting a loved one to drive longer than it was safe. The result is always prolonged anxiety for caregivers and placing others at risk.
We would like to invite everyone to visit the section “Alzheimer’s and Road Safety” and share their concerns and suggestions on how to best go about convincing someone with Alzheimer’s to stop driving.
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