HAVING recently given up my licence to drive, I wonder how many others are considering doing the same.
We may have driven for 60 years with little in the way of accidents – perhaps just a few close calls here and there.
Maybe our eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and there is an ever-so-slight risk of an accident.
Our reflexes may have diminished over the years, but because we’re careful, we continue to drive.
How would you fare if your driving skills were assessed each year? Would you pass?
You enjoy the freedom of just getting in your car and going somewhere – to the shops a few kilometres away, or perhaps on holiday.
Maybe you own a caravan. Are you still able to manage it on the road, set it up, and secure everything properly?
Does it make you a little nervous to drive with a caravan hitched to your vehicle?
It’s a huge responsibility to control three to five tonnes of metal on the road, especially when other drivers forget that you can’t manoeuvre as easily as they can.
You don’t want to give up the lifestyle, yet you find yourself assuring your partner that all is well.
Perhaps you have a medical condition that doesn’t seem to affect you much.
Do you honestly update your doctor each year on how you’re managing, or do you gloss over the
truth?
After all, you wouldn’t want your doctor to say you can’t drive – that could be a major disruption to your lifestyle.
Of course, this concern isn’t limited to senior drivers – it applies to everyone.
In Queensland, all drivers over the age of 75 must carry a medical certificate and comply with all listed conditions.
For some, the mere thought of not driving is terrifying. It affects their independence and, to some degree, their social life.
If you’re younger, have you ever worried about your elderly parents’ ability to drive safely?
Many people from rural areas, where traffic was once light, may have obtained their licence decades ago with just a quick drive around the block at the local police station.
Now, 50 years later, the dynamics of our roads have changed dramatically.
It’s not easy to have a heart-to-heart conversation with someone you love about their driving abilities, but sometimes others can see what we choose to overlook ourselves.
If you have concerns, don’t ignore them. Have the conversation. It could prevent an unfortunate accident.
Giving up your licence is a straightforward process – there’s no charge for seniors, and you’ll receive a new photo ID.
Think about it – it may save your life.
