Some Seniors With Illnesses Cut Back on Driving, but Others Don't

A study in Injury Prevention suggests some older drivers with chronic health issues may drive less, but still be at a higher risk of crashes, reports Reuters Health . Moreover, other drivers with medical problems may be at a higher crash risk yet not cut back on how often they drive or how far. "Specific chronic conditions could hasten the manifestation of driving inabilities, especially in challenging circumstances e.g., dark, rainy, or heavy traffic conditions," said scientist Junaid Bhatti. Among such ailments are hearing problems, joint and muscle disorders, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Potentially risky conditions that led older adults to reduce how far or long they drove — including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and glaucoma — did not appear to increase the likelihood of crashes. The University of British Columbia's Ediriweera Desapriya said relatives of senior drivers may need to watch out for signs of unsafe driving, such as an inability to share the road, more frequent near misses that could have been collisions, and any unexplained dents or scratches on the vehicle. "It's important that primary care physicians and family members monitor . . . older drivers and have a supportive and ongoing discussion about their driving," he added.