Are you, or someone you know, getting to an age where you are unsure of your driving skills or want to ensure that you have the same reaction time as “when you were young?” We have some tips geared towards seniors, but can be applied to any age, who might need some help maintaining your driving skills.

Stay mentally and physically fit

It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain healthy driving habits such as looking over your shoulder, changing the steering wheel quickly, or pushing on the brakes fast enough if needed.

Being mentally fit can help with processing signs quickly and keeping up with your cognitive abilities.

Prepare for your drive 

Doing a quick check of your car every time you enter, and before you start the vehicle can save a lot of hassle and even prevent an accident. A quick checklist can include making sure your mirrors are in place, checking if your tires look flat, and checking your oil before a long trip.

Review your driving skills 

It is especially important for seniors to regularly evaluate their driving skills to know how to manage common driving challenges. 

Some important skills to review are managing your slow reaction times, minimizing challenges of driving at night, driving safely in bad weather, practicing left hand turns, reviewing modern roundabouts, and merging safely. 

Take refresher courses 

Just because you are getting older, doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a “bad driver,” but it is important to review your skills with a professional to help you notice bad habits, recognize new road rules, learn updated traffic laws, and gain confidence on the road. 

For more information on driving tips for seniors, visit http://seniorsdriving.caa.ca/ 

Click the video below to watch a video series, created by CAA on maintaining safe driving skills.