Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
Approximately one in five U.S. adults aged 65 and older do not drive, a fact that highlights a significant life transition for many. Navigating how to deal with not being able to drive requires proactive planning, emotional resilience, and exploring new avenues to maintain independence and social connections.
According to AARP, the average age most seniors stop driving is around 75, though a significant number continue safely into their late 80s or 90s. The decision to stop is rarely based on a specific birthday but rather on individual health changes and overall driving ability. Every driver’s experience is unique, and factors like vision, reflexes, and cognitive function play a much larger role than chronological age alone.
While drivers aged 70 and older have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than middle-aged drivers, there is no magic number that determines when someone must stop driving. Deciding whether a 90 year old person should be driving is a complex issue based on individual health, cognitive function, and driving skills, not age alone.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, age-related changes in vision, physical functioning, and cognitive abilities might affect some older adults' driving skills. This raises a critical question for many families: **Should 80 year olds be allowed to drive?** The answer is more complex than a simple age cutoff and depends on individual health, skills, and awareness.
