As we age, our ability to drive safely can start to decline.

This can be caused by a variety of factors such as physical changes, or health conditions.

It's important for everyone to be aware of these changes and to take steps to ensure that we continue to drive safely.

One of the most important things we can all do to maintain our driving ability is to stay physically and mentally active.

Regular exercise can help improve muscle strength, coordination and flexibility, which can help maintain the ability to drive.

Mental activities such as puzzles, games and social interaction can also help maintain cognitive function.

Another important factor to consider is vision.

As we age, our eyesight can change, making it more difficult to see at night or in low light conditions.

Regular vision screenings can help detect problems early and corrective lenses, such as glasses or contacts, can help improve vision.

Medications can also affect driving ability.

Many medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion, which can make it difficult to drive safely.

Those on prescriptions should talk to their doctor about the potential side effects of their medications and make sure they understand how to take them safely.

We should also avoid driving if we feel drowsy or otherwise affected by prescriptions.

Chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease can also affect driving ability.

Those managing these and similar conditions should work with their doctor to ensure that everything is stable and under control before getting behind the wheel.

In addition to these steps, we can also take a driving refresher course to brush up our skills and to learn about any changes in traffic laws or road conditions.

These courses can be found throughout the state, offering a variety of services.

Family and friends can also play a role in helping us to maintain our driving ability.

If an older driver is no longer able to drive safely, family and friends can help navigate that sensitive conversation and find alternative transportation options such as public transportation, ridesharing, or taxi services.

It's important to remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.

The most important thing is for all of us to be aware of our own driving ability and to take steps to ensure that we continue to make deliberate choices to drive safely to protect ourselves, our loved ones and anyone in or out of the car.

It's also important to understand that hanging up the car keys is not the end of the world, it's a sign of maturity and self-awareness.

It may be difficult to make that decision but it's a necessary step in order to keep everyone safe on the road.

STORY: DAVE WEBBER, RACQ EDUCATION OFFICER

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New test to assess driving ability of dementia patients

University of Queensland researchers are developing an online driver safety test for people with dementia that can be performed by GPs in their surgeries.

About 472,000 Australians are living with dementia and there is no clear line when driving is deemed unsafe.

Dr Theresa Scott, from UQ’s School of Psychology, said there were many negative impacts when people were forced to stop driving.

“Flaws in current driving tests mean people living with dementia are sometimes given no formal assessment, or they are told they have to stop driving as soon as they are diagnosed even when they could continue driving safely,” Dr Scott said.

“Some people don’t accept the decision to stop driving as they feel they haven’t been fairly assessed and continue driving which puts them and others at risk.

“Our new fitness-to-drive assessment is the first reliable and valid test that incorporates real on-road footage and gives the person a ‘behind-the-wheel’ driver’s perspective.

“We hope this project will reduce traffic crashes, driving-related referrals and associated costs for health professionals, such as neurologists, geriatricians, and occupational therapy driving specialists.”

The video-based fitness-to-drive assessment is based on the hazard perception test used as part of the Queensland Government’s driver licensing system and developed by UQ’s Professor Mark Horswill and Dr Andrew Hill, who are also involved in this project.

Limestone Medical Centre Partner and UQ Faculty of Medicine’s Emeritus Professor Geoff Mitchell said the assessment tool would be hugely beneficial for GPs when they assess people living with dementia.

“Current office assessments conducted by GPs are fraught with risk, but the fitness-to-drive tool will mean GPs won’t have to rely on paper and pencil tests that have no association with on-road driving ability,” Prof. Mitchell said.

“To have a tool that is practical, accepted, and reliable will be welcomed by all GPs who look after people with dementia.”

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