{"id":1092,"date":"2019-11-20T11:50:45","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T11:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/?p=1092"},"modified":"2020-04-13T16:17:51","modified_gmt":"2020-04-13T15:17:51","slug":"concerned-about-an-older-relatives-driving-tips-on-how-to-talk-to-them-about-it-from-iam-roadsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/?p=1092","title":{"rendered":"Concerned about an older relative\u2019s driving? Tips on how to talk to them about it from IAM RoadSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spotting the signs of a loved one\u2019s driving deteriorating as they get older can be difficult.   At what point should you tackle the issue and suggest it might be time for them to  stop?   As part of its older drivers\u2019 campaign, raising awareness of the issues faced by many thousands of mature drivers across the UK, IAM RoadSmart\u2019s head of technical policy and advice, Tim Shallcross, has put together some top tips based on his own experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li> Try to have a conversation about it sooner rather than later; it\u2019s a very good idea to raise the subject while there\u2019s nothing wrong with their driving \u2013 \u201cHow will you feel if eventually  you have to give up driving?   How would it affect you?\u201d for example.&nbsp; <\/li><li> Take the opportunity from time to time to be a passenger with them to see how their driving is &#8211; and look out for any changes over time.<\/li><li> Signs of deteriorating driving include looking but not seeing at junctions, reduced ability to judge speeds, poor reversing \u2013 and dents on the car.   For more signs to look out for,  see IAM RoadSmart\u2019s short video <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/tracking.vuelio.co.uk\/tracking\/click?d=kwpd_zhOnz1lAGuv7lzNCjCFKqOsJbm3fSxTeao-rDhOHiNoUA5L9Hn9y-jnYiktxW7ZmKCsVEwbK3Uay8g0aa4S1oOlWIXqw9eRpEW2kMqDzpn9n0d5G8GtVl5mD1qdG4UqYzKz2I2sgAH_o8tc7-Q1\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/li><li> Even if you do have concerns, your relative might well be able to carry on driving safely for many years with a little tuition and guidance.   Point out that as we age, the risks  associated with driving change and that it might be good to get an independent view such as a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/tracking.vuelio.co.uk\/tracking\/click?d=epzjpeYSj6MIbCO1AgweTwrAJ5TpqasbBKonodyJ5nWQgTwOabmapbhvi5qxbqejVEb6U5PinJh0SZ3Q9okXsGVlxGGfWandWcr4Vt4b8KYOwmF0_OhW17sPzlg-0VsWpy4uvG2-l3fVImjdzd-xazGIDigdvlab101pNmEkS9zM0\" target=\"_blank\"> Mature Driver Review<\/a>.   Stress that it is not about giving up driving, just reducing the risks.<\/li><li> Remember how much of a life changer this could be \u2013 imagine what it would be like for you if you suddenly had to give up driving.   The impact might well be greater for your relative  than for you if they can\u2019t walk or cycle easily.    Be sympathetic but firm if you are sure their driving is below standard.<\/li><li> Don\u2019t have a large family discussion \u2013 your relative may well feel everyone is ganging up on them.   One to one is best, two at most.&nbsp; <\/li><li> Stick to the facts.   Have there been near misses you are aware of?   Don\u2019t condemn the driving outright, talk instead about safety for them and others.<\/li><li> Identify beforehand the pressures that keep him or her driving \u2013 does their partner or spouse drive?   How far away are essential amenities?   What alternatives are there?<\/li><li> If necessary, introduce the idea of internet shopping and other online services that are available.<\/li><li> Know when to stop and try another day.    It\u2019s pointless getting into an argument where tempers get frayed.   Leave your relative to think about it for a while and often they will realise  that what you\u2019re suggesting makes sense.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nThere are a number of resources available to help older drivers stay safe on the road for longer, and also on how to make the decision to stop driving when the time is right. Apart\n from <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.vuelio.co.uk\/tracking\/click?d=2hJvT4_ewHyYzmqq7sje1OeukvrL-dNS3c-SXIFzhefPU-7Suw_4ohkmg2OcDcZj0YBLkhzihhNChKmgqN_CSBVf8gZX0wuOjuuS4k9OEXgVVPz47ar3eWdArzLwzqHaZlhhR2XvHOhXIT0ofuWpUjs1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\nIAM RoadSmart\u2019s advice here<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.vuelio.co.uk\/tracking\/click?d=3-W5vV7kA9JRDUE3C6vlcUz8Dw9Ztw5o8hML8-aK5PqIRS4ktrChUCH0Jt0uVcHHGMrkR9VPoM0Z4k6TfPYeD5cf22pDFOymC5COgW8tkjzxm0lP2Olr1ZhLfl9HOJi10oF5KTz9GXkU-sP6Cfz3E3YeGUad_39Rvd9y52LSNLMnsNk5CcoSwWmlabPrnzS9mRlqnfglVlXiDwtbknzWoWU1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\nAge UK<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.vuelio.co.uk\/tracking\/click?d=id15BucQDCH2NGQyKFNaLB6eAVVNV5xTOoQMZQtIvgDQaLaYL7bzwlLD4puLa1BSpzAf74DIid4Fm6FAUs44hUXu5R8hZZoACkNBc3h40EfCvKe6cBLHzORVBSka2DkFnScl59vjQWmDyJyvlOS6T0Bs_YcKyK-OmB90pfvfSIPVq1dDiKXi3LyXPF11dvZeCA2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\nOlder Drivers\u2019 Forum<\/a> also offer guidance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spotting the signs of a loved one\u2019s driving deteriorating as they get older can be difficult. At what point should you tackle the issue and suggest it might be time for them to stop? As part of its older drivers\u2019&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-driving-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1092\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guildford-iam.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}