What do you do when you fear your loved one is no longer safe to drive but to intervene could destroy your relation ship?
This week Valeri Miller the author of ‘Who Cares? God’s Path for the Caregiver’ shared an amazing idea with me. Simply put; if you are deeply concerned that your loved one is endangering themselves or others by driving then contact their physician and request they send the department of motor vehicles in your state a “Driver Evaluation Request”. Physicians are familiar with the form and when the Motor Vehicle Department receives it they will in turn send a letter to your loved one requesting they come in for a driving test. The results are then up to your loved ones ability to pass the test and you are out of it.
I called the NC Highway patrol POI Lieutenant Jeff Gordon and verified it is that way in NC as well. Following up further I spoke with Brad Benfield at the State of Washington department of licensing and there even a loved one can send in the form. In New York state they have a whole page at their web site devoted to the subject. So below are links to states forms and or web site information on “Driver Evaluation Requests”
National Highway Safety information Physician’s Guide
Before I would ever try such an intervention however I would need to seek my Father’s help. This week I also got help from an amazing author on prayer Dr. James Banks the simple tip below I think speaks for itself when it comes to prayer as so often it’s hard to break through the clutter to be in His presence.
Getting older does not necessarily mean a person’s driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road.
The NHTSA also offers free materials to help you learn more about how to recognize and discuss changes in your older loved one’s driving.
Resources for People Around Older Drivers
- Adapting Motor Vehicles for Older Drivers
Evaluate your needs, making sure the vehicle “fits” you properly, choosing appropriate features, installing and knowing how to use adaptive devices, practicing good vehicle maintenance. - How to Understand and Influence Older Drivers
Talking with an older person about their driving is often difficult. Most of us delay that talk until the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous. At that point, conversations can be tense and awkward for everyone involved. But there are things you can say and do to make those conversations more productive and less tense. - Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully
How do you assess whether physical changes are affecting your driving skills?
- Family and Friends Concerned About an Older Driver To provide families, friends, healthcare providers, law enforcement personnel, and community and social services with information to assist older adults whose capabilities make them potentially unsafe to drive.
- Safe Driving for Older Adults
Helpful tips about coping with these changes are also provided so that you can remain a safe driver for as long as possible. - Driving Transition Education
Tools, scripts, and practice exercises to prepare professionals for effective conversations about driver safety and community mobility issues with older adults, their families, and concerned community members
These are some Amazing tools check them out…
Tags: Older drivers
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