Driving safely for longer

Book in for an eye exam

Remember you do not have to wait until you are due for your next eye examination if you notice changes in your vision. Find out more about NHS eye examinations.

Use hearing aids

If you usually wear a hearing aid at home, use it when driving too. Any kind of sensory loss can lead to feeling confused and disconnected from your surroundings.

Understand the effects of medication

Some prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines can also have an impact on your driving but it’s often difficult to predict when and how they’ll affect you. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Always read the labels, and ask your doctor/pharmacist for advice
• As medication is often used to suppress symptoms, it is important to consider the effect on driving ability when you stop taking any medication
• Driving while impaired due to the use of prescription drugs is against the law and subject to exactly the same penalties as driving under the influence of illegal drugs. This can include a fine of up to £5,000, loss of licence and potentially prison

Plan before you go

Plan your journey before heading out, especially when driving long distances on unfamiliar routes and allow time for breaks. A Sat-Nav can be useful: set it up in advance and never adjust it while driving. You may also want to have a fully charged mobile phone in case of emergencies and tell someone where you are going, when you expect to arrive and confirm your arrival.

Keep an eye on speed

As we get older, our reaction times change. So make sure you have time and space to react when driving and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front. Good anticipation is critical.

Avoid distractions

It’s helpful to avoid distractions, especially when negotiating busy junctions. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, but even using a hands-free phone can distract attention from the road and traffic ahead.

Reduce night driving

As we get older, our eyesight changes. At age 65 it can take four times longer for your eyes to recover from glare.

Make mobility modifications

If you are experiencing problems such as difficulty in gripping the steering wheel or with other car controls, the Scottish Driving Assessment Service can give advice. They can provide a full fitness to drive assessment. This is a free NHS service which is open to everyone in Scotland via a referral from your GP, for more information visit the Scottish Driving Assessment Service. DriveAbility Scotland can also help with mobility modifications and vehicle adaptions.

Parking concessions may also be available to disabled drivers and passengers under the Blue Badge scheme. For further information visit www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.

Speak to friends and family about any driving concerns

If you are feeling less confident behind the wheel, there are many steps you can take including speaking to friends and family about how you are feeling and get their support in helping you to reduce/stop driving.

If your reactions are becoming slower and you feel anxious when driving, it may be time to talk to someone about stopping. Speaking to your friends and family can help you find a way forward.

Saving on running and repair costs, and the extra income from selling a car can be a real bonus. Calculate possible savings at: https://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/retire-from-driving.

Getting out and about on foot or cycling can be invigorating, improve mental health and reduce stress. This is when a National Entitlement Card, more commonly known as a bus pass, comes in handy with the added bonus of contributing towards a cleaner, greener Scotland.

Refresh your driving skills

A mature driving assessment is a relaxed 30-60 minute session with an expert, driving your own car, on roads you are familiar with. At the end of the session you will be given guidance on how to continue driving safely for longer. You can do this through organisations such as IAM RoadSmart or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Refresh your knowledge of The Highway Code

The Highway Code has had some major changes in 2022. Keep up to date with the latest changes.

It is up to you to self-declare your fitness to drive. It is also your responsibility to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability, or you have a condition or disability that’s become worse.

Notifiable conditions include anything that could affect your ability to drive safely, such as:

• diabetes or taking insulin
• syncope (fainting)
• heart conditions
• sleep apnoea
• epilepsy
• strokes
• glaucoma

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted in the event of a collision, even if it is not your fault.

The rules and advice on what you must do will depend on the exact nature of your condition. It is essential to seek and follow advice from a medical professional, and to comply with any decision the DVLA makes about your driving licence.

If you’re thinking of changing your car, there are a few things that can make driving easier:

• Change to an automatic
• Use technology like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) to detect an accident and automatically brake, or Blind Spot Assistance, which warns you if someone’s in your blind spot
• Make use of reversing aids, like cameras or parking sensors
• Check for ISOFIX mountings – these are handy for child seats