The ability to drive is seen as a privilege or luxury for many; meanwhile, for others, it may be seen as a rite of passage. Most children await the day they become teenagers and can get their driver's permit and then license. That’s because driving is often seen as more than just a mode of transportation but a sign of freedom. In America, most cities are largely car-dependent, and you have to get to destinations by car or, in some cases, bus.

When it comes to the topic of seniors and driving, things can get a little complicated and sometimes heated. Because driving is such a personal signal of freedom and flexibility, having to talk with your older loved ones about potentially giving it up can be challenging. It can also be hard to determine when the right time is for your senior loved ones to stop driving. That’s why in today’s blog post, we’ll go over signs of when a senior isn’t safe to drive anymore. We’ll also cover how to have that often difficult conversation with them.

How safe are seniors on the road?

Just because someone you know or love is at the age to be considered a senior doesn’t mean they’re no longer suited to be driving. Oftentimes, many seniors are able to still drive safely well into their later years. Statistically speaking, in 2022, there were 51.5 million licensed drivers aged 65 or older, which was a 40% increase from 2013. There are older drivers on the road, and just because they’re older does not mean they are unsafe or irresponsible. Oftentimes, you may find it true that people can be unsafe drivers at any age, so safety-wise, age may be somewhat irrelevant. It’s important to remember, though, that while younger drivers may be inexperienced or more likely to be distracted or reckless, older drivers can often overestimate their driving abilities. That may be one reason many unsafe older drivers continue to drive despite their declining driving skills. These declines are often due to conditions and changes in the body as we age that can make driving more challenging and potentially more risky.

Also, in 2022, 31% of drivers ages 15–20 who were involved in fatal crashes had been speeding at the time of the crash, the highest percentage among all age groups. Drivers ages 65 and older had the lowest percentage. Statistics also state that certain driving abilities tend to decline naturally with advancing age, and in 2023, 70.6% of Americans ages 85 and older (88.3% of males, 60.3% of females) were still driving.

The safety of each driver is subjective and hard to determine based on their vehicle, skills, and where they are driving. But, statistically speaking, seniors are some of the safer and better drivers. The issue comes in when that is no longer the case. As we age, our abilities and health can alter, thus affecting our performance in areas such as driving. We’ve all known loved ones or elderly friends who have had to stop driving and how hard that transition can be sometimes. Many seniors can feel like they’re losing their independence and freedom once their keys are taken. Ultimately, that decision is made for their safety of them and the others around them. But how exactly can you know when it is time to have that talk with the senior in your life?

Why do driving skills decline as we age?

As many skills and abilities can decline as we age, driving can too. As we age, our abilities and health can alter, thus affecting our performance in areas such as driving. We’ve all known loved ones or elderly friends who have had to stop driving, and how hard that transition can be sometimes. Many seniors can feel like they’re losing their independence and freedom once their keys are taken. Ultimately, that decision is made for their safety and the safety of the others around them. Some reasons driving skills may lessen over time include the following:

• medical conditions, such as arthritis, neuropathy, or dementia
• medications, such as sedatives or certain antidepressants
• age-related changes in reaction time
• trouble with vision or hearing
• other physical changes related to aging, such as less flexibility or strength
• difficulty processing rapidly changing information. For example, an older driver may be more likely than a younger driver to accidentally press the gas pedal instead of the brake when needing to stop suddenly

Signs it’s no longer safe to drive:

The signs that seniors may not be able to safely drive can vary from person to person depending on their health, their age, and their cognition. For some seniors, they may be able to perfectly execute the act of driving, but due to cognitive decline, they are deemed unsafe; for example, they end up driving to unknown places and getting lost. For others, it may be their declining eyesight that is a contributing factor to the need for them to hang up their keys. 

1. Don’t Ignore Red Flags

While this comment can apply in a variety of circumstances, it also works here! If you start to pick up on some bad habits of your senior loved one while driving or notice things that make you concerned, don’t ignore them! As people get older, their driving skills may decline so slowly that it’s not obvious. Spending time and paying attention to your older loved ones will help you be able to pick up on any cues to trouble they might be having. When driving, people can often make minor and careless mistakes, so it can be hard to notice when the mistakes get more prevalent and worrisome. 

Some red flags that might mean an older person is an unsafe driver include:

• concerned comments from family or friends
• reluctance of others to ride with them
• input from other drivers such as honking or frequent tickets
• getting lost on familiar roads
• consistently driving too slowly or too fast
• unexplained dents or scratches appearing on the car
• frequent accidents or near-misses

2. Decline in Physical Health or Other Health Conditions

As we mentioned above, health can often decline as we age, and that plays a big part in the ability to drive safely. As older adults tend to be less active, they can lose muscle mass and strength and experience joint stiffness, all of which contribute to the ability to drive. These factors can affect reaction time and steering ability, as well as the ability to transition from accelerating to braking. Driving does involve a lot of physical movements and flexibility with the movement of the arms and hands, which could be affected by conditions like Parkinson’s or arthritis. The National Institute on Aging explains that these changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely.

3. Cognitive Decline

In the section above on red flags, we touched on the idea of cognition being a factor in one's ability or inability to drive safely. We mentioned an example of someone getting lost or driving without other people's knowledge and ending up in a bad situation (such as being lost or out of gas). Cognitive decline can also affect driving by impacting memory, ability to follow traffic clues, and concentration. 

4. Impaired Vision

At any age, one's vision can impact their ability to do things such as drive. But, as we age, our sight can affect other aspects of our driving, such as our ability to drive at night due to changes in night vision. Many people develop cataracts as they age, which affect their vision and can make it harder to drive. Other visual impairments include macular degeneration and glaucoma; all of these become more common with age, thus contributing to some seniors needing to stop driving. Having regular vision tests can help ensure a senior's vision is safe enough for driving. 

How to have a conversation about stopping driving:

It can be challenging to deal with so many changing aspects of our health and bodies as we age, and for many seniors, giving up driving is like handing away their independence. Luckily, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a comprehensive overview with tips and advice on understanding older drivers. They explain that talking with an older person about their driving is often difficult. Most of us delay that talk until the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous. At that point, conversations can be tense and awkward for everyone involved. But there are things you can say and do to make those conversations more productive and less tense. The steps they list to help you in this discussion include:

1. Collect information

This first step involves gaining information on what is going on with the senior driver. Observing how they drive and their performance is an important first step. The second step is just as important and involves observing their non-driving performance and how their health is (both physical and mental). They may be experiencing cognitive decline or trouble with mobility that would impact their driving ability. Having the senior do a self-assessment can also be helpful to open up the conversation and discuss any concerns.

2. Make a plan

After observing and highlighting any red flags, you can sit down and talk with the person to determine:

• Is the person driving safely within the acknowledged limits of his or her capabilities?
• If there is a problem, is it correctable?
• Do other transportation options need to be identified?

The goal of planning should be to preserve the independence and freedom of the person. The plan should keep the person connected to the activities that give meaning to and enhance the quality of life. The planning will take time; for example, determining (if they are not yet at the point of quitting driving) what will happen when the time does come and how they can be transported to and from places. This will involve willingness on all parties and lots of communication to figure out the logistics. The goal is to enhance the independence and decision-making of the senior as well as maximize safety for them and others.

3. Follow through on the plan.

It’s important that the seniors feel involved in the plan and not as though they have no say. Transportation is an important aspect of life that is very necessary, and it’s understandable to be concerned about what that is going to look like moving forward. It’s also important that the conversation be approached with sensitivity and respect for the senior. 

A transportation plan can change over time depending on the person’s abilities and health. While they may be able to drive safely now, they might have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from doing so in several months. That’s why it’s important to review the plan and discuss options and preferences and follow through with it when needed.

Some tips for conversation provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration include:

1. Base the recommendations in the action plan on the observations from the first step.
2. Be sensitive to ways you can help older adults preserve their self-respect. Try reasoning and use compassion. Appreciate the significance of a driver’s license to the older person. Empathize with and listen to the older driver.
3. To lead the conversation, pick someone in the family or a trusted friend who the older adult driver may “hear” better than others. In some families, it works better to have just one person have the conversation. In other families, having several family members express their concern will underscore the family’s concern for the older person’s safety.
4. Present your concerns in the least-threatening terms of your own feelings and perceptions. Use “I” messages rather than “You” messages. For example, say, “I am concerned about your safety when you are driving,” rather than, “You’re no longer a safe driver.”
5. Among the points you might want to make in your conversation:
   • Indicate that you have noticed changes in the person that seem to be making it more difficult to drive.
   • Note that we all age in different ways and at different rates.
   • Reinforce that thousands of older adults each day are taking control of similar situations by changing how and when they drive. Many stop driving at night or avoid rush-hour traffic and bad weather. Many stick to familiar nearby streets and rearrange their schedules to keep doing the things that keep them active in their communities, such as volunteering and socializing.
6. Don’t be put off by negative reactions. Remember that it is hard for people to cut back on or stop their driving if they are not ready to do so, or if they believe they are good drivers. Major lifestyle changes are never easy.
7. Highlight a positive outcome by focusing on how the older adult driver will be able to continue to stay connected to specific things that are important. Do not judge the person’s priorities.
8. If possible, identify a trusted friend or family member who has already had to cut back on or stop driving and who is taking actions to stay connected to the things that are important to them. Ask if he or she would be willing to speak with the older person about how it is possible to keep connected to meaningful activities in the community.

Having these types of conversations with your senior loved ones can be tricky…we understand! At Senior Industry Services, we help and serve seniors and their families in the Central Texas region. We know how challenging transitions such as driving cessation can be for seniors as well as for their loved ones. We want to help you and the senior in your life stay connected and cared for throughout every stage of their journey! If you need help or support in having a tough conversation like this with a loved one, feel free to reach out to us; we are always here to help you! Our goal is to make Central Texas the best place for seniors to age by providing them, their families, and senior care workers with expert information and resources and local insights into the senior care sector. We’ll leave you with a friendly reminder for you and any tough conversations you might need to have with your loved ones: If a conversation is hard, It’s probably the one worth having.

Written for Senior Industry Services by Lauren Hope Bartling

About Senior Industry Services

Senior Industry Services (SIS) is a Central Texas resource connecting seniors, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and local businesses through education, technology, and community collaboration.

SIS provides educational articles, Senior-AI tools, a searchable Senior Resource Directory, local service information, community resources, professional networking events, and educational opportunities. 

We explore and educate on topics such as healthy aging, caregiving, senior living, dementia, hospital-to-home transitions, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, long-term care planning, and other issues affecting seniors and their families.

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Whether you’re searching for reliable information, exploring local senior services, using Senior-AI, or looking to connect with trusted professionals, SIS is designed to be a central online resource for aging and senior care throughout Central Texas! Explore our website to learn more about all we have to offer to families, seniors, and senior care professionals in Central Texas!

About the Author

Lauren Hope Bartling is a content writer for Senior Industry Services & Oasis Senior Advisors of Austin and Central Texas. She searches and writes educational content focused on healthy aging, caregiving, healthcare, senior living, and community resources. Her goal is to help seniors, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals better understand the challenges of aging through accurate, practical, and easy-to-understand information that supports informed decision-making.

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Esther C. Kane, C. (2025, October 6). Senior decision: Knowing when to stop driving. Resources For Seniors And Caregivers: Tips And Products. https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-driving/ 

How to understand and influence older drivers. NHTSA. (n.d.). https://www.nhtsa.gov/older-drivers/how-understand-and-influence-older-drivers 

Ikpeze, T. C., & Elfar, J. C. (2016). The Geriatric Driver: Factors That Influence When to Stop Driving. Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation, 7(2), 106–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/2151458516644818

Khan, U. (2025, November 14). Average age elderly drivers stop driving: Stats & insights. Retirement Living. https://www.retirementliving.com/best-car-insurance/average-age-elderly-stop-driving 

Safe driving for Older Adults | National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/older-drivers 

Shmerling, R. H. (2026, July 6). Time to stop driving. Seniors Guide. https://www.seniorsguide.com/health/time-to-stop-driving/