Oct 24, 2008 6:43 pm US/Eastern
Pulled Over: Seniors Lose Driving Skills, Licenses
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
As a person ages, so do driving risk factors – so how and when do you tell a senior that it's time to get off the road?
According to AAA, by the year 2020 there will be more than 40 million seniors with a valid driver's license, and for many families, it's a very real concern.
Emory Jacoby is 85 years old and still drives about 10,000 miles a year.
"As a matter of fact, I only got one summons in 60 years a few weeks ago because I went through a gas station and the policeman said I wanted to avoid the stop sign," Jacoby says.
Even with a relatively clean driving record, Jacoby understands the potential hazards of seniors behind the wheel.
"I'm very reluctant to drive with some of my friends my age, because I don't feel comfortable," Jacoby said.
According to medical professionals, that's a valid assessment.
"Their reflexes are different, their spontaneity, the way the hear and see is different from what it was when they were 10, 15 years younger," Dr. Robert Schwalbe, psychoanalyst and author, says. "The issue is, how does a son or daughter tell his or her mother or father, 'that's no more driving for you?'"
It's a discussion that involves a number of people: the senior's doctor, spouse, and children.
It's a very difficult conversation to have, because it forces one older person to confront the reality of their life," Schwalbe said.
"My dad was a pretty good driver up until the time he was about 90," Dr. Eric Berger said. "Then his driving started to go downhill, and his judgment started to go downhill.
Berger had to ultimately take legal action to stop his father, Irv, from driving after a series of accidents.
"I said, 'Dad, you know how you would have felt if you would have hit five school children instead of five parked cars?'" Berger said. "And as a perfect example of his denial, he looked at me and said, 'I don't drive anywhere near schools.'
"For about a year and a half, it destroyed our relationship," Berger said. "He wouldn't even speak to me on the phone."
Berger has since reconciled with his father, who lives in New Jersey.
Dr. Schwalbe says that no matter how difficult, it's the responsibility of the child to talk to their parents, and to take further action if necessary.
"The car keys and the car have to be removed because it's a part of their lifestyle," Schwalbe says. "It's very hard to change their lifestyle, as dramatically, as traumatically as it could become. It has to be removed."
Dr. Schwalbe also recommends going for a drive with your parent to assess their ability, and to check the car frequently for any dents or damage.
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