5 ways to continue driving as a senior
In the end of the day, it’s important to think of driving not as a right, but a privilege. And while going a little grey around the ears isn’t reason enough of a reason to hand your keys over in and of itself, there are a few things you need to stay on top of.
As AustRoad states in the report Assessing Fitness to Drive for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers, “While many factors contribute to safety on the road, driver health and fitness to drive is an important consideration.”
Here are five ways to continue driving as a senior:
1. Stay on top of your health
If you want to stay safe on the roads, regular check-ups are essential. Have your hearing and vision checked annually and chat with your doctor if you have any ailments or medications that might impact your driving ability.
2. Find the right vehicle
That stretch hummer might get you a lot of attention, but it’s probably not appropriate (especially if you’re just using it to nip down to the shops). Ideally, you’re going to want a vehicle with automatic transmission, power steering and power breaks. It’s also important to visit the mechanic regularly to keep it in good working condition.
3. Drive defensively
There are a lot of maniacs out there, and with mobile phone, GPS devices and digital music players, drivers are less alert than ever. You can’t control what’s going on in someone else’s car, but you can control what’s going on in yours, so adopt a defensive driving mentality. This added awareness will help you stay alert on the roads.
4. Know your limits
If driving situations have started to make you uncomfortable, do you best to avoid them. This could be something as simple as only driving in daylight hours and avoiding highways and fast-moving traffic. It’s important to be honest with yourself, otherwise you may find yourself in a situation you are no longer able to handle.
5. Have the right level of insurance
Underinsurance can leave you exposed and vulnerable. The right insurance policy will give you the peace of mind to remain behind the wheel in your senior years, knowing that if something does go wrong, ultimately you will be covered.
Whether you’re planning the ultimate grey nomad road trip or simply just looking to pick the grandkids up from school, a reliable vehicle is an important part of senior life. Over60 understands senior drivers, offering a range of car insurance policies that can not only be tailored to meet various people's circumstances, but designed to reward good drivers with competitive prices. To find out how you can get 15 per cent off^ your next car insurance policy with Over60, click here.