As the years pass, driving can become a daily ordeal. And for good reason, certain changes in the body can impair driving, such as reduced vision and hearing, joint stiffness or even a longer reaction time than before. Just as it is possible to adapt your home, some tips can help you better arrange your vehicle and some accessories may make driving easieras the government explains in a dedicated article.
Improving the vision and driving position of the elderly
First of all, opting for a car model with large glass surfaces improves the field of vision. Other tips for optimizing vision, it is possible to add an additional rear-view mirror, as well as devices for looking to the sides and behind, such as specific cameras for example. Not only will these devices allow you to better understand the surrounding spaces, but also to have a better view of certain controls such as blind spots. In parallel, motor skills can also be improved with certain accessories, such as a steering wheel ball to facilitate handling and maneuvers as well as a circle or an accelerator lever, which will play the same role as the pedal.
Elderly people: improve and make driving smoother with tips
Swapping your manual gearbox for an automatic gearbox can help make driving smoother, while providing better concentration. In the same vein, other aids and options can constitute real advantages, such as a vehicle with power steering, parking assistance, a limiter or cruise control. Emergency braking assistance can also enhance driver safety, just like having an obstacle detection system, an involuntary lane crossing alert as well as a traffic sign recognition system. Some vehicles may be equipped with an electronic fatigue and drowsiness detection system, to indicate to the driver that it is time to take a break.
As for the layout of the driving position, the driver must have passed a medical examination beforehand at the prefecture or from a doctor approved by the prefect. Then, once the visit has been completed, the type of adaptation will be mentioned on the driving license. Faced with a loss of autonomy and/or reduced capacities, there is refresher courses which allow you to take stock and go back to the Highway Code.
Finally, it is important to know when to stop driving, and to do this, you can turn to a doctor approved by the prefecture. Also, other solutions remain such as carpooling, public transport, technical mobility aids and on-demand transport.
Read also :
⋙ Elderly people: 6 solutions to watch over them when they are alone
⋙ Home support for the elderly: everything you need to know
⋙ 3 helps to adapt housing for the elderly