Time to take away the license?

[Speedo]

My dad's driving is starting to get iffy. He has not had any accidents, but he is starting to get tickets for things like passing in no-passing zones, and parking in illegal spots. He has always been a really good driver, and, except for his "rolling stops" at stop signs, has ALWAYS followed the rules of the road. Lately, he brings home a ticket a month, but always has an excuse.

How do you know when it's time to pull an elderly driver off the road?

 

[Byker]

That would be such a hard decision. How would you even get it done? Can you take the license away or would you have to prod them into giving it up?

 

[Angelinus]

I am not convinced that he should stop driving, but you could talk to him about his disregard for the rules. Maybe he feels a sense of impatience with them? His tickets seem to be all about that rather than incompetence.

 

[Car Hop]

You need to find out if it's just him not paying attention or if he has a problem. These could be early warning signs. I would definitely talk to him and if appropriate, a physician.

 

[Speedo]

That would be such a hard decision. How would you even get it done? Can you take the license away or would you have to prod them into giving it up?

I think the state can officially revoke someone's license if they cause enough accidents, or don't pass the driving/vision test. As for stopping before they've reached that point, I think they have to be helped into the decision.

I'm not sure that Dad is quite to the point of needing to stop, but the time will definitely come. One problem is that he lives alone in a rural area, so it will not be an easy choice. It's not like he can walk to stores, or hop on a bus. Maybe he will reach the point of giving up his house first, and can give up the car at the same time.

 

[HondaMan]

Yeah, that's really a tough situation. We (my sister and I) had to make our mother give up her license after she kept getting lost on roads she'd driven on 1000 times. It was later determined that she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. She currently lives with me.

 

[Chaoticdriver]

That's a difficult situation. As always, everybody has a different situation. I know many elderly people who are still very good on the road. They even drive better than younger people like me do.

 

[mack]

If you take your Dad off the road (by talking to him, or through more drastic measures you may consider), what would be his alternative to move around? Would you consider moving him to a retirement village? I think it would be even more depressing for him there.