Is Now a Good Time to Talk to My Elderly Parents About Giving Up Their Car Keys?

How to Talk to Seniors About Giving Up on Driving

When it comes to driving, we usually worry about our teenagers getting behind the wheel (trust us, most of our gray hairs have come from the hours that we spent teaching them how to drive). Speaking of gray hairs, there are some other drivers in our family that we may eventually become concerned about our elderly parents. If you are starting to wonder if it is time to talk to your parents about turning over the keys, we have some great advice to share:

Is There a Certain Age That Seniors Should Stop Driving?

There is no true magic number, and it really varies from person to person. Some people may choose to turn over their keys the day they turn 80, while many drivers in their 90s still drive quite comfortably. In fact, we once met a lady in her 90s who would regularly make the 3-hour drive from Nashville to Memphis on her own!

How Do I Know That it is Time for My Parents to Give Up Driving?

Some signs that indicate that it is time for your parents to turn over the keys include:

• Inability to stay in the correct lane
• Slower reflexes
• A higher number of close calls
• No longer following the laws and rules of the road
• Struggling with visibility
• Collisions or bumping into other vehicles

How Do I Have This Sensitive Conversation with My Parents?

It is understandable that your parents want to hold onto their independence for as long as possible, but if they are showing any of the above signs, it is time to sit down and have a conversation. Explain that it is more of a safety issue, and you want to keep them protected.

You may get some pushback from your parents. This is normal, as many people become more stubborn as they get older. For extra support, we recommend bringing your parents’ physician into the conversation. You can also bring your parents to the DMV, where a test can be conducted, and the experts can make a decision about whether or not your parents can keep their license.