A person should never stop a prescribed medication simply because they are worried about driving. Instead, they should ask a qualified healthcare professional whether the medication or combination of medications could affect alertness or coordination.
Simple Ways to Make Driving Safer
If an older driver remains capable of driving, a few practical adjustments may help.
Driving during daylight can be easier than driving at night. Avoiding heavy traffic or unfamiliar roads may also reduce stress.
Drivers can also:
Keep windshields, mirrors, and headlights clean
Have regular vision and hearing checks
Leave extra following distance
Avoid driving when tired
Plan unfamiliar routes in advance
Minimize distractions inside the vehicle
Avoid driving when medication causes drowsiness
Choose roads and times with less traffic when possible
A professional driving assessment can also provide an objective look at someone’s skills and identify areas that may need improvement.
When Should Someone Consider Giving Up Driving?
This is often the hardest question for families.Stopping driving doesn’t have to mean losing independence.
If driving has become unsafe, families can explore alternatives such as rides from relatives, public transportation, community transportation programs, taxis, or other local services.
The goal should be to preserve mobility and independence safely, rather than focusing only on whether someone still has access to a car.
The Bottom Line
Being over 70 does not automatically determine whether someone is a safe driver.
What matters more is the individual’s vision, reaction time, physical abilities, concentration, judgment, health, medication effects, and actual driving performance.
For older drivers, regular self-assessment is important. For families, honest conversations can prevent a difficult situation from becoming a dangerous one.
The best time to discuss driving safety isn’t necessarily after an accident.
Sometimes, the smartest decision is simply recognizing when driving habits have changed—and taking action before something serious happens.
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