Steps to Keep Older Drivers Safe and Driving Longer Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Keep Driving Safely as You Age

How to maintain your skills behind the wheel for as long as possible

Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. These positive trends come as the number of drivers who are 70 and older is increasing. One reason for fewer fatalities: Vehicles are safer than ever. “Side airbags have been standard on the majority of new vehicles since the 2008 model year, and we are seeing the benefits of improved side-impact protection in the crash data, especially for older drivers,” says Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice president for research. “Today’s older drivers are walking away from crashes that might have killed their grandparents.” Simply getting older shouldn’t affect your safety and fitness to drive. Many older drivers enjoy better health than drivers who were the same age decades ago, so they can function more safely today, and for a longer time.

Read the warning signs

“Today’s older drivers are walking away from crashes that might have killed their grandparents.” —Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice president for research Still, a time may come when you’ll need to consider giving up the keys. Many chronic health conditions can compromise driving skills, from the obvious culprits like cataracts, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and sleep apnea, to the less-obvious ones (diabetes, for example, if your blood sugar levels suddenly dip). So how do you know if it’s time? Here are five questions to ask yourself — or a loved one you are concerned about — to assess whether it’s OK to stay behind the wheel. 1. Do you frequently have difficulty reading street signs and seeing street markings? 2. Does driving leave you feeling anxious and stressed? 3. Have friends or regarding your driving, or said they don’t feel safe with you behind the wheel? 4. Do you have difficulty with certain physical requirements of driving? For example, do you have trouble looking over your shoulder when changing lanes? 5. Are you currently taking medication that causes drowsiness or otherwise impedes your ability to drive? If you answered yes to even one of these questions, and you want to keep driving, consider these steps.

AARP Auto Buying Program

Find a car with safety features you want and get upfront pricing information

Please Select Make Please Enter ZIP Code Shop For New Cars Please Select Make Please Enter ZIP Code Shop For Used Cars all across the nation (aarp.org/drive). Participating in a senior driving course could qualify you for a car insurance discount. Upgrade your car. The IIHS has identified several technology upgrades that reduce crashes for older drivers: rearview cameras that can help drivers see while backing up; automatic emergency braking systems; collision warning systems; and blind spot and lane-departure warning systems that help drivers avoid crashes while changing lanes. More on auto AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS