Do you have an aging loved one in your life and you’re worried about their driving? Are you getting on in your years and you’d like some tips for driving yourself? The Philadelphia auto repair shops exist to keep your vehicles as safe as possible, but you need to know how to drive well to keep yourself safe as well. If you are older, or have an older loved one in your life, take these tips to heart and stay safe on the road.
Tip 1: Get Hearing And Vision Tests
There are a variety of things that often start to fail as we age. Hearing and vision loss are two such things. In order to stay safe on the road as a senior, get regular hearing and vision tests. You need to be able to hear sirens coming from behind you and you need to be able to see traffic lights and road signs with ease. If you start to find deficiencies in those areas, you might start to limit your driving to daytime hours or you might need a prescription change or hearing aids to help keep you safe.
Tip 2: Stay Fit Physically
Staying active can help seniors with their strength and flexibility, both of which can come in handy when they are driving. Drivers need to be able to turn the steering wheel with ease, look over their shoulder, and carry other motions out while they drive and park. Things like walking, water aerobics, chair yoga and other low-impact exercises can be very beneficial and could help seniors avoid accidents.
Tip 3: Recognize Your Limitations
As a senior, you need to listen to your body and know your driving limitations. If your hands hurt when you are gripping the wheel, get a steering wheel cover to help that issue. If you can’t see the dashboard very well, get something that’s easier to read. Newer vehicles also come with safety elements like blind spot sensors and backup cameras, which can help alert you when dangers are present.
Tip 4: Consider Road Conditions
As is true with any driver, senior drivers need to keep a close eye on road conditions. If there’s snow or ice, it’s best to stay off the road. If the senior doesn’t see well at night, they should avoid dark driving conditions. It’s also a good idea for seniors to keep tabs on their personal conditions. If they are overtired or upset, they should avoid driving. If they’re on a new medication, stay off the road until they know how it impacts their reaction times, and so on.
If you are a senior, or you have a loved one in your life, take these tips to heart and stay safe on the road. When your vehicle needs a Philadelphia auto repair shop for oil changes, brake repairs, or anything else, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270 or stop by 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
