© Photo: Liikenneturva / Aleksi Makkonen.
As the age of a family member or good friend rises to high, many people become concerned about how to cope with this. Accidents can occur at home and the ability to function in traffic can be impaired.
According to the Everyday Review survey commissioned by LähiTapiola, two out of five Finns are worried about the influence of old age on their loved ones or acquaintances, according to LähitTapiola’s press release.
Of the respondents, 32 per cent say they were somewhat concerned and 9 per cent very worried. According to the survey, men and women and evenly people across Finland are equally concerned about driving an elderly loved one.
– Aging affects us all and can bring with it, for example, diseases and impaired responsiveness and memory, which poses risks in traffic. However, high age does not automatically mean that the driver will suffer more damage, as experience can also bring driving certainty and foresight. However, it is good to monitor the development of one’s own and close driving ability, says the leading expert in road safety in the press release. Mark Nieminen Middle Tapiola.
The age of drivers is on the rise – many share their concerns
There are more and more elderly drivers in Finland with an aging population. According to Traficom, there were a total of almost half a million license holders who turned 70 in 2019. Back in 2008, more than ten years earlier, their number was about half that.
The statistics show large generations of people and, in general, better well-being of people: Finns retire healthier than before and continue driving longer when their driving condition is good.
As health and perception then begin to decline, the concern of many loved ones also arises. In the Everyday Review survey, 45 percent of respondents who had been worried about driving a loved one or acquaintance had spoken about the effects of age. However, an equal number (46%) have not raised their concerns and tried to address the situation, for example by talking.
– It may not be easy to start a conversation with a loved one about the risks of driving and the possible abandonment of the car. For many older people, a car can mean freedom of movement on their own, and its importance is emphasized, especially in sparsely populated areas. However, thinking together can find workable solutions and possibly other ways to move around, says Nieminen.
Driving health monitoring
The driving health of an older driver will be assessed at the latest when the age has reached 70 years and the driving license needs to be renewed. For example, when renewing a driver’s license for a car, moped, or motorcycle, a driver over the age of 70 must submit a medical certificate.
Also in the past, the doctor is obliged to inform the police if he notices a long-term deterioration in the driver’s driving health, for example during a routine inspection. In traffic, the police monitor the driving condition of road users.
– It is worth everyone’s age to start monitoring their own driving ability. For example, are there more frequent near misses at intersections or does traffic detection feel heavier than before. Care, anticipation, and avoiding dark driving and congestion can compensate for the challenges posed by age, but somewhere it is worth moving to rides offered by others – both for one’s own health and the health of others, says Nieminen.
Between March 27 and April 2, 2020, a total of 1,196 Finns responded to the Everyday Review survey commissioned by LähiTapiola. They represent the population aged 15–74 in mainland Finland. The survey was conducted by Kantar TNS. The margin of error is about +/- 2.9 percentage points.
Advice for the elderly driver on driving condition monitoring
The effects of age on driving are individual and each ages and moves differently. The motorist can pay attention to the following things, for example.
- How can I do today? Illness, medications, fatigue, and alcohol, for example, affect daily driving condition. Listen to your own well-being and skip rides or take breaks if necessary.
- Avoid congestion and poor driving conditions. Whenever possible, it was advisable to drive in bright weather, in good weather and on familiar routes.
- Variation in movement. Occasionally walk to a convenience store or otherwise maintain your own fitness. Other modes of transport, such as public transport, should also be used to make it easier to switch to if necessary by car.
- Car selection. If you change cars, make sure it is good to sit in and get out of the driver’s seat easily. Automatic transmissions can make driving easier.
- Listen to your loved ones. Sometimes others notice changes in us before we realize them ourselves. For example, you may adapt to deteriorating vision.
- One’s own ability to drive can be assessed in more detail, for example, with the driver’s self-assessment tests prepared by Liikenneturva.
Source: Road safety