It’s a fact of life that driving skills diminish as we age, but there are no hard and fast rules as to when and how that occurs.

Because of that, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when someone could be at the point where they either shouldn’t drive or take on self-imposed restrictions like not driving at night, in hazardous weather, or at times when there’s heavy traffic on the roads.

There are warning signs, however. Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing present signs from AAA on when you should be concerned about either your or a senior’s ability to drive.

Recent Driving Record
Has the driver been issued two ore more traffic tickets or warnings in the past two years? Or have they been involved in two more crashes or near-misses in the past two years? These are both warning signs that the skills of the driver are beginning to diminish.

Ignoring Signs and Signals
Missed stop signs and traffic signals are a huge safety concern, and it is oftentimes brought on by an inability to pick them out in a crowded, visually busy field.

Confusing the Gas and Brake Pedals
Besides general confusion, if the driver lifts their leg to move from pedal to pedal (instead of keeping the heel on the floor and shifting the upper part of the foot toward each pedal), that could signal a decrease in leg strength, which can lead to poor reaction time or mistaking one pedal for the other.

Weaving Between or Straddling Lanes
Changing lanes frequently (and without signaling) without checking mirrors or blind spots is a common process that can be skipped in drivers who are struggling to comprehend everything that’s happening behind the wheel.

Getting Lost Easily
Not being able to drive to familiar destinations could be a normal cognitive decline or a medical condition like dementia.

If you’re concerned about any of these factors, you can schedule a professional driving assessment.