Memory can be a funny thing.
One minute you’re thinking back about your high school Prom, recalling each little detail, including the color of your date’s corsage (or cummerbund), and the next minute, you’re trying to remember what you had for lunch last week when you used your new AARP card for the discount.
In the last 5 years, traffic accidents data show an increase in the number of people aged 65 and over killed in motor vehicle-related crashes. Mature drivers represent a growing segment of America’s licensed drivers, and it’s unfortunate to see the risk of getting injured or dying due to a traffic crash among them.
As they get older, there’s even a heightened risk due to their increased vulnerability to injury.
Attending an Online Drivers Ed Program For Mature Drivers is one way to reduce this risk, and that’s what we will be talking about in this article.
The Aging Process
Many things change as you age; your eyesight can begin to weaken, the hearing may not be as sharp as it once was, and reflexes are not as quick. For the most part, these are things that people learn to live with.
Adjustments are made and most people do whatever they can to keep themselves aware of their changes before anyone else has a chance to point it out to them.
Sometimes people do point things out, and that’s when you can either listen with consideration or let it go in one ear and out the other. By the time you have reached 65, you’ve paid your dues and are entitled to a little bit of slack!
But when your daughter or grandson starts telling you that they are worried about you getting behind the wheel of a car, it’s serious business.
The Privilege Of driving
Driving a car is a privilege that many teenagers look forward to as soon as they understand the freedom that comes with it.
The freedom to go to the store and buy something they want; the freedom to go out on a date; the freedom to take a drive and bask in adventure and solitude.
Driving also comes with responsibility; the responsibility to know the rules of the road; the responsibility to stay alert when driving; the responsibility to respect other drivers.
The balance between freedom and responsibility must continue as you get older; it’s what keeps traffic flowing smoothly.
When that balance shifts, it can cause an accident, injury, or fatality.
Mature Drivers
For mature drivers, the ability to keep driving means just as much as it did when they were a teenager; maybe even more so. The older driver enjoys his freedom just as much as the new driver does.
The ability to drive yourself to the drug store, to the movies, or even to a doctor’s appointment can be the difference between living life and living it well.
When something happens that takes away a person’s ability to drive, it can be devastating.
Taking online drivers ed for mature drivers has more benefits than just saving you money on car insurance, it can also help reinforce safe driving habits that have gone to the wayside over the years.
Staying On The Road
When it comes to a motor vehicle accident, the probability of a fatality increases from age 70-74 and is the highest among drivers 85 years of age and older. In fact, the CDC reports that there are about 15 older adults killed and 586 injuries sustained by older adults on our highways every day.
And though sometimes this is a direct result of aging, it is usually due to the increased susceptibility of an aging body. The body of a 70-year-old man is not the same as the body of a 20-year-old man; that’s not bias, that’s biology.
For the most part, older drivers tend to be more careful when it comes to some driving standards. Statistics show that older people are less likely to drink and drive, more likely to wear their seatbelts, and tend to drive when weather conditions are more favorable.
Unfortunately, older drivers are prone to vision-related, physical, and cognitive functioning issues that can impair driving abilities.
Keeping The Keys
If you are a mature driver, don’t be so quick to toss away the keys. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to help yourself stay safe on the road so that you never have to put those statistics to the test, such as:
- Staying physically fit by exercising regularly
- Being aware of any medication side effects that can impair driving
- Have eyes checked yearly and wear glasses or contact lenses as required
- Drive in good weather and avoid night driving
- Plan your route before you leave
- Stick to roads that are well lit, safe, and include intersections with green arrows
- Stay a good distance behind the car in front of you
- Avoid distractions inside your car such as loud music, cell phones, and eating
Take An Online Driver’s Ed Program For Mature Drivers
Another thing that you can do to improve your abilities behind the wheel is to find a good online drivers ed program for mature drivers. You might be thinking that driver’s ed is just for kids, but this is not so.
There are plenty of adults who take drivers ed for reasons such as lowered insurance rates, or memory refreshment.
Though the basic rules of the road have not changed much since you first started driving, there are many factors that have come into play, such as cell phone usage.
Brushing up on your knowledge isn’t a weakness; it can only make you stronger.
A Good Online Drivers Ed Program For Mature Drivers
There are plenty of good online driver’s ed programs for mature drivers out there, but we suggest the pros at DriversEd.com.
Studying in the privacy of your own home and going at your own pace can make the program work better for an older adult.
When you go into a classroom, you might find other people to be distracting, and you never know if your teacher will be easy to understand.
With an online driver’s ed program, you don’t need to worry about those things because your program is all laid out in front of you.
Plus, if your family members begin to question your driving abilities, you can show them some of the things that you’re learning.
Not only will it give them peace of mind, but it will also help you feel more confident behind the wheel as well.
In the end, try to remember that growing old isn’t all that bad when you consider the alternative!
Driving can still be an enjoyable privilege as long as you remember to tailor your freedom with responsibility.
Signing up for a high-quality online driver’s ed program for mature drivers is a great way to get refreshed on your safe driving skills.
Wrapping Up
Driving for a few years can bring a wealth of experience to any mature driver. But if you don’t keep up with the changes that can occur in the aging process, your expertise may just all go to waste.
Attending an Online Drivers Ed Program For Mature Drivers such as the one offered by DriversEd is just one way to keep up with the changes. You also need to take care of your health – know how medications can affect your ability to drive and ask your doctor for medicine that won’t interfere with your driving.
When driving, reduce distractions as much as possible and keep your eyes on the road. Avoid busy streets, roads, and intersections, and if possible, don’t drive during rush hour and at night.
Don’t drive for long hours without a break. Pace yourself if you can’t help driving.
Always put your safety as your top priority.