Who doesn't treasure the freedom and autonomy exemplified by the car in this culture? Our 70Candles discussion group participants spoke of their need for safe, available transportation options, as critical for their active lives. Ellen says, "Life without driving would be unthinkable."
While our teenage grandchildren yearn to acquire that coveted driver's license, we oldsters cling to our auto independence as long as possible. We are careful drivers ... accounting for fewer accidents than those teens, but we know our driving days are numbered. We now outlive our driving roles by about 10 years.
While still behind the wheel with our gradually diminishing faculties, hearing, vision, attention, reflexes, we make adjustments. Our cataracts expand headlights to glowing abstractions ... "So very Van Gogh," we think. But if we drive in the middle lane, avoiding the glare of on-coming headlights, and follow the rear red lights of the car in front of us, to maintain our lane, we can do it!
For street signs so hard to read at night ... Better just stick to known destinations. Can we hear car horns or distant siren wails with some hearing loss? Makes it more important to maintain visual vigilance. Tricky to time that left turn into rapidly moving on-coming traffic? Safer to turn right, then make a U at the next opportunity.
Wouldn't it be helpful for everyone if streets and roads were better lit, and all signs printed larger and better illuminated? Until then, we can squint and strain to see, or preferably, find a younger or visually healthier friend willing to do the nighttime driving.
What are other alternatives? For shorter journeys, we can access various forms of electric seats or golf carts ... some useful for rides within local communities, others called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) outfitted with features that allow street travel up to 30 mph. Perhaps soon, there will be rental depots where we can choose these as needed.
Taxis? Uber? Lyft? Any public or local elder transportation services available? We might need them all eventually.
Although millions of drivers over 75 are still on the road, we all look forward to the day when technology sprints ahead to wide use of the self-propelled autos that have already been created. With radar, computers, artificial intelligence and GPS on board these futuristic wonders, we passengers will simply relax and enjoy the ride. Some day, sensors might be embedded in roadways, with on-board GPS guidance systems to propel vehicles along predictable and safe tracks. Away from random traffic tangles, people of all ages will be able to travel safely whenever and wherever they want.
Even today, newer cars are incorporating helpful devices ... GPS, back-up cameras, wider doors, larger dashboard buttons, active breaking, blind- spot warnings, and special sensors that can keep cars from drifting out of their lanes. If they would also include larger print in the manuals, we'd be sailing!
While I wait for all these amazing changes, I have discovered the joys of improved vision as the result of cataract surgery. So long Van Gogh lighting! I realize how much more relaxed I feel behind the wheel now that I can see more clearly, day and night!
What are your experiences and challenges as you drive while old?
JG
70Candles! Women Thriving in Their 8th Decade, by Jane Giddan and Ellen Cole is available at Taosinstitute.net/70candles as well as on Amazon.com in paperback and as a Kindle download.
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
