The Road Ahead: When Driving May No Longer Be Safe
- Elder Care Law Blogger
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
Receiving one’s driver license is customarily seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. However, the privileges of driving often come at a cost as the years progress and symptoms of aging begin to appear. When is it no longer safe for a person to drive? In Tennessee, the most common reason is when physical, cognitive (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, seizures and loss of consciousness), or sensory decline impairs the ability to react quickly, navigate safely, or follow traffic rules.
We all age differently, and
for this reason, there is not one recommended age to quit driving. However, it may be time to stop driving when considering the following: recent, even minor fender benders; getting lost in familiar areas; difficulty seeing traffic lights, signs, or pedestrians; delayed reactions or confusion with pedals; and other drivers frequently honking at you.
In Middle Tennessee, Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute (Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center) and On the Road, LLC, are two resources commonly used for driver evaluations and assessments performed by certified physical therapists.
Whenever a driver’s license is suspended or revoked, it must be turned in
to the Department of Safety within 20 days of the suspension or revocation. Additionally, when information is received that an individual’s ability to drive is affected by a physical or mental disorder, the driver will be required to submit (within thirty (30) days of notification) a medical report from a medical doctor. This report will provide the effects of illness or disability on the individual’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. If the report is unfavorable, the driving privilege will be suspended until the condition improves. Drivers who lose consciousness or control due to epilepsy, cardiac syncope, diabetes or other conditions must be suspended and remain lapse free for a minimum of six (6) months before being eligible for license reinstatement.
For additional information and resources, feel free to contact the following:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety
Eldercare Locator www.eldercarelocator@USAging.org
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