[Stitcher]

Tested for the road
Hospital program gauges the older driver’s capability

By Patricia Wen, Globe Staff | July 1, 2009
http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas..._tests?mode=PF

Edward Givler is a retired race car hobbyist who once held a lap record on New England’s largest speedway, but when he ambled slowly into the waiting room of a Boston hospital recently, his ambitions as a motorist were far more humble.

He wanted to find out if he should continue to drive. Givler, now 71, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004. On the advice of his doctor, he has since taken part in the kind of annual, clinical evaluation that many Massachusetts lawmakers believe should be required of older motorists who want to renew their licenses.

There is no easy way to test an elderly motorist. No single marker - the tremors of Parkinson’s, the memory loss of Alzheimer’s, or the fact that someone turned 85 - makes for an impaired driver. And while legislators on Beacon Hill have responded to several high-profile accidents involving older drivers by drafting bills, no single test can determine who should give up the keys.

[Stitcher]

I am ONLY 60 years old, but I do think about the elderly drivers on the road when I get behind one and where the speed limit is 45 and they can't seem to get over 35 or 40 and brake when passing through an intersection or when vehicles are coming towards them in the on-coming lane. I always wonder if this action is due to poor eyesight...or disease of some kind.

We don't have many four lane road in my "neck of the woods" so this scenario is very common when I travel between home and another city, which is often.

I know how hard it was to get my grandfather to give up his license. It is to most giving up independence. I knew that feeling in 2007 when I was not allowed to drive for three months (which could have been permanent, if not for a kind Internist) after my post-surgical seizure. Each day I would think of going to the grocery or the bank or any other place. I had to call the local para-transit BEFORE noon the prior day to get where I needed to go the next day, or I walked. Fortunately for me Gettysburg, PA is pretty small and I could walk to many placed. What would I have done if I had still been in Tampa, FL?

Being without a drivers license is not something I care to repeat. So, I can understand how hard it is for elderly folks to give that independence up.

I will say that in a conversation with Dr. Stern, my PI, after my Internist gave me my driving privileges back. I commented about driving and while he didn't say the actual words, his comment was to say, "if I had my way, none of my PD patients would be driving." I will never forget that conversation, it made a deep impression on me.

[vlhperry]

When it took to much focusing to keep my right side from gaining control of the car from my left side, and the tremor in my foot pressing the gas pedal over and over, I decided my driving days were over. I knew I could not live with myself if I hit a child or rearended a car and killed an innocent to maintain my independence.

Everyone knows when they are a danger on the road and desires to have the choice to decide when they should stop driving. The problem, driving is not a right but a priviledge, and being human, the individual usually prefers to err on the side of retaining their independence. Eventually too many commit that error and take the choice away from all, when a victims family goes to court to take measures to prevent further victims by revoking drivinng priviledges from handicapped or senior individuals.

[jeanb]

If my shaking were on my right side rather than my left, I'd have had to give up driving already. I stand a LOT because my left leg shakes so much. I would not be able to drive. And I dread the day in the future when I have to quit driving.

[chasmo]

Thereis a PD driver program at Cedars Sinai here in L.A. I don't need it yet though. I find myself being more cautious than I usd to be, no "jackrabbit" starts away from lights, no more speeding etc. I do not drive at the moment due to sshoulder pain. BUt I will once my shoulders are resolved.

I agree with Carolyn though , and that i if you become a "rolling road block", its time to hang your keys up. It's a tough call though, I think each of us who still drive should have the good sense to get tested before we get to the point of hurting someone. I applaud Vicki for her courage to stop driving.
For me the decision is easier since I soon will have 5 drivers in the family!!
My sons will be 16 in 5 months!! YIKES!!

Charlie

[Stitcher]

16...how does that happen!

My oldest GRAND is 19...how does THIS happen!

[Deep Brain Diarist]

I gave up driving on May 20. I am 54 years old. It was entirely my choice. I noticed my reaction times were slowing down, and that from time to time I was stepping on the gas and brake at the same time, when I wanted the brake. I was an accident waiting to happen.