How to remain a confident driver as you age

Collaborative Post | As we get older, it can be easy to run into problems with mobility and general independence. You might have trouble moving, seeing, and reacting with the same grace and ease as you once did. And this can impact your ability to drive.

So, what can we do about this? Fortunately, there are a few ways to combat the decline, and to retain the independence you get from being able to drive with confidence.

Photo by Andraz Lazic on Unsplash

Health check-ups

To drive effectively and confidently, you’ll need to be sure of your surroundings. This means getting your eyes and ears tested regularly. Schedule an eye exam every year, and an ear exam every two years. This way, if there is any deterioration, you’ll be able to spot it and deal with the differences. You won’t be able to deal with problems that you aren’t aware of.

Driving skills

As we progress in our driving careers, it can be easy to slip into bad habits, and to forget how to perform manoeuvres we aren’t really comfortable with. Reverse parking is a good example: there are many road users who simply don’t know how to do this effectively, so they avoid doing it entirely.

Similarly, long-term road users might be unaware of changes to the traffic laws, which tend to come in incrementally over a longer period.

The solution is a simple one. Go on a refresher course. You’ll update your skills, get yourself out of your comfort zone, and come away with renewed confidence about your ability to deal with what the road throws at you.

Maintain your vehicle

It’s difficult to drive safely and effectively in a poorly maintained vehicle. Get your car serviced regularly, and book your MOT test online so that it meets the legal minimum standards for safety. You should also get into the habit of caring for your vehicle, which means checking oil levels, inflating tyres, and changing the lights.

Plan your journeys

If you’re going on a journey through an unfamiliar part of the world, then it’s only natural to feel stressed about it. Plan that journey in advance, so that you know exactly what to expect. It can be enormously helpful in limiting stress, and boosting your confidence behind the wheel. If you know where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there, you can focus on the actual driving!


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.