Driving in urban parts of Maryland has become increasingly difficult in recent years. With upticks in population leading to more crowded roads and highways, frustration and road rage is rampant. This can be especially problematic for older drivers.
While recognizing that the ability to drive grants the freedom of mobility, it must be carefully weighed against the risks of endangering oneself or others. Caregivers and family members must assess their aging loved one’s current capabilities. The first step is to ride along a few times and take note of some of the following concerning behaviors:
- Is the driver able to stay in the correct lane?
- Does the driver stop at stop signs and traffic lights?
- Does the driver seem confused about where to go, which lane to be in, how to react?
- Does the driver maintain the correct speed?
- Can the driver adequately see pedestrians and other objects?
- Does the driver seem nervous or anxious?
There is no specific cutoff age for driving, so it may necessitate a loved one’s intervention. Driving requires acute faculties, good vision, ability to hear well and quick reflexes. Rather than arbitrarily taking away the keys, consider signing your loved one up to take a driving test at the Maryland DMV. They will be given a vision test and the professionals will be able to assess reaction time. There are also safety classes offered by the DMV, organizations like AARP and AAA as well as private driving schools. There are many benefits to a driver improvement course or a defensive driving class in Maryland. These include:
· Defensive driving techniques – Learn how to detect and prevent hazards with simple maneuvers. These classes train you to predict the behaviors of other drivers and help improve your reaction time to certain hazards.
· Reduced insurance rates – Being a safer driver and maintaining a clean record may lower your insurance premium year by year. Plus, many insurance providers offer discounts for completing a Maryland defensive driving course.
If your loved one refuses any assistance and you feel the person should not be behind the wheel, you may find yourself in a place with no other option than to report the loved one to the DMV. You may send a written letter stating the person’s name as it appears on his or her driver’s license, date of birth and current address. The letter should clearly state your concerns as to why this person should not be allowed to drive. The reasons may include medical concerns, accidents, or your observations
At Stouffer Legal we care about the safety of our seniors. While losing the ability to drive is a major loss of independence, it may save a life. For more information on elder law issues such as estate planning, incapacity planning or long-term care planning contact the compassionate attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599, emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com, or register for an upcoming free webinar using the link below:
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