Safety driving tips for seniors are important to avoid road accidents, personal injury and other crashes.
It's not easy for seniors to give up driving. With support from family, doctor and local government road travel programs, here are ways to consider in order to avoid car or motorcycle accidents and other crashes.
Keep Up-to-Date with the Road Rules
- A lesson with a professional driving instructor should be considered to refresh knowledge of the rules.
- Annual driving tests are usually required for senior, with age dependent on local rules.
Maintain Car for Safety
- Incorrect tire pressure can reduce the life of tires and make the car less safe as well as difficult to drive.
- The car should be regularly serviced and checked for tire pressure, car oil and radiator coolant.
- Windscreen should be regularly cleaned to reduce glare.
Have a Regular Health Check-up
- A regular examination with optometrist is necessary.
- A regular health or medical check up with the doctor to ensure capability to drive.
- Many medications can affect driving. Instructions should be carefully followed and best is to check with doctor.
- Some local government road and travel agencies require that they be notified for any relevant medical conditions or issues that could affect driving.
Keep Safe while Driving
- A correct driving posture improves control of the car, reduces fatigue and allows the safety features to operate effectively.
- The height of seat should be adjusted. It will make much difference to how much can be seen ahead and around.
- Allow at least a three seconds gap from the car in front to maintain a safe distance.
- Always signal and check behind and beside you, before merging and changing lanes.
- Drive within the speed limit and slow down by at least 10km per hour in wet weather.
- Scan the traffic environment around and be aware of potential hazards. There are important signs on most dangerous highways that should not be ignored.
- Driving should be restricted to daylight hours or within a certain distance of home, if possible.
Keep Safe within School Zones
- Know speeding rules on school days.
- Be aware of children crossings and the rules that apply.
- Careless parking can put children's safety at risk.
Handle Intersections and Roundabouts with Care
- Slow down when approaching an intersection and prepare to give way or stop.
- Enter the roundabout only when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
- Slow down while approaching a roundabout and prepare to give way to traffic already in the roundabout.
- Indicate in advance intention to turn.
- Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists and long vehicles making a full term.
It is essential for seniors to keep safe on the road especially in time when reflexes are no longer that quick to respond. Risks can be reduced or avoided by being aware of safe driving practices.
The copyright of the article Seniors Safe Driving Tips in Senior Safety is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Seniors Safe Driving Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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