The Cost of Freedom: When Grandma’s Driving Causes Virginia Car Wrecks

We are all dedicated to keep seniors driving as long and as safely as possible. Nobody wants them to be hurt or to hurt others. Most of us also understand how depressing it can be for an elderly driver when the time has come to hand over the car keys - a hard but necessary step. Unfortunately, Virginia auto accidents with elderly drivers are a daily occurrence, many of which are caused by the older driver's declining ability to drive.

What signs might tell you that an elderly parent's driving skills are declining?
Be aware of traffic tickets or warnings by law enforcement officers and inspect the car for scrapes and dents. These are signs that your loved one may not be driving as well as they need to. For many older drivers, the weakening of their driving ability is a gradual process - which should give you time to approach the issue. Other signs to look for include:

• Decrease in focus and reaction time
• Difficulty working the pedals 
• Disorientation with directions and roads that used to be familiar
• Hesitation and stress when merging and changing lanes
• Inattention to important signs, such as stop signs and traffic lights
• Driving too slowly or disturbing the traffic flow
• Poor vision
• Arthritis and other aches that prevent the handling of the car
• Drowsiness

How do you tell an elderly parent that the time has come to give up driving?
First you should decide who would be best to talk to the elderly parent. Some people may feel better if their whole family talks to them, where others may feel ganged up on and may prefer to hear the views from one person alone. Those who tackle this issue should be close to the elderly driver - such as trusted friends or relatives who have known the person for a long time.

In case the elderly driver does not accept that there is a problem, do not give up. You may consider bringing in more people to talk to them and may even wish to gain a doctor's opinion.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia car crash, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today to schedule a free case consultation with one of our dedicated Virginia injury attorneys. Let us show you how we can help you secure fair compensation.