Contents:
- Medical Video: WE BOUGHT OUR DREAM CARS!
- The risk of traffic accidents increases in old age
- What is the danger of the elderly driving a car or motorcycle alone?
- What to do if you have elderly parents who want to drive your own car
Medical Video: WE BOUGHT OUR DREAM CARS!
For some people, old age is not an obstacle for them to be free to do activities like in the old days. That is why many parents are still diligent in driving to and fro - whether it's to visit relatives, just stop by a supermarket, or even go to work. Actually, can the elderly drive a car or ride a motorbike alone, regardless of whether they are still fit or not?
The risk of traffic accidents increases in old age
The death toll from traffic accidents worldwide is reported to be at an alarming rate. The latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that there are around 316,000 people who die from traffic accidents every year only in the Southeast Asia region. The traffic death rate in this region reaches 17 per 100,000 people. The reported mortality rate on the streets in Indonesia reached 31,234, although the actual figure could reach 47,673, the WHO said.
Although there are no details on what age range is the most vulnerable to road accidents, it is known that the risk of car crashes generally increases from the age of 55 years.Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in 2015 there were 40 million elderly people (65 years and over) in the United States who have driving licenses. In 2014, there were more than 5700 parents who died and 236 thousand were admitted to the ER due to accident injuries. Because, oOlder people have thinner bones than younger people, so their bones can break more easily.
That is why many health experts doubt whether the elderly can still drive their own car or motorcycle without supervision. Some countries have established legal bans for people who are 70 years or older stubborn driving their car or motorcycle on the streets, unless they have taken the driving test again.
What is the danger of the elderly driving a car or motorcycle alone?
As noted above, the risk of traffic accidents generally increases starting at the age of 55 years. This is not without reason. Driving a car requires continuity between the focus of view, the alertness of gestures, and the sharpness of thought. This is what the elderly may lack. The body continues to change with age, which causes your ability to process and process information to decrease.
One study from a group of researchers from Nottingham Trent University reported in the UK Telegraph found that the speed of healthy elderly brains to process visual information was as fast as people aged 18-30 years. However, when their focus was diverted for a while, it would be more difficult for them to return to full concentration.
Because, blood flow to the brain and brain nerve health will decrease starting when you are 30 years old. Once entering old age, brain adaptability will decrease. This will affect the brain's decision to react quickly to the possibility of changing the situation around in a split second, a scenario that is very familiar on the streets.
In addition, elderly people generally face a risk of height loss that is caused by aging. As we get older, joint tendons and bone strength also shrink which causes the body posture to bend and appear shorter. Though good posture plays an important role in driving safety. Ideally a driver is said to be worth driving alone when he has wide visibility to the front, which is helped by the distance between the eyes to the handle of the steering at least 8 centimeters.
In addition, according to the researchers above, many elderly drivers have a history of chronic diseases that can endanger their safety on the road. For example, dementia that affects a person's memory and cognitive function to remember routes, recognize surrounding buildings, or remember traffic signs. Driving while low blood sugar is also as dangerous as driving while drunk.
Older people are at high risk of having various visual disturbances, such as presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma or other visual disturbances due to diabetes. The ability to see in the dark or sharpness in describing shapes in the end also diminishes. This can be dangerous for them when driving, both during the day and night.
What to do if you have elderly parents who want to drive your own car
To avoid accidents, elderly people need to understand their overall condition. It's better not to drive alone if you know that your body and mind's response has begun to decline, vision is no longer sharp, and body movement coordination slows down. Safer, use public transportation or ask to be escorted by other relatives to the destination.
However, there are many ways that other family members can do to facilitate elderly parents who still want to drive on their own. Friend yourself when driving, and sit in the passenger seat. This is the only most effective way. Then see ifthere are problems that occur in driving style or ability. For example, when he has difficulty when walking backward or turning back, or when he has to take turns in pressing the gas pedal or brake pedal.
Also see if there are certain patterns that are different from what they should be. For example, it is too late to hit the brakes even though there is a car in front of it or it does not turn on the lights when you want to turn. Your parents may experience visual impairments because they can only see certain objects at a closer distance. You can offer to take turns driving for safety.
