ABSTRACT
Older adults aged 65 years and higher make up a growing proportion of the population, with 80% licensed to drive. This age group is more susceptible to physical and cognitive changes which could lead to impaired driving safety. Driving safety in older adults is an important topic requiring collaboration among various professionals and community members. This chapter describes risk factors for unsafe driving including vision loss, changes in mobility, cognitive impairment, and medications which cause sedation or alter mentation. The chapter provides tools for assessing older adults for driving safety such as the Fitness-to-Drive screening and the Clinical assessment of Driving Related Skills. The chapter explains ways for older adults to maintain driving skills for as long as possible, including driving rehabilitation services when available. The chapter also describes situations in which driving is no longer a safe option and provides strategies for talking with older adults about retiring from driving.
