April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and now is a fantastic time for seniors who are still driving to find ways that they can minimize distractions while driving. Seniors already are more likely than other age groups to get into an accident. So the more that seniors can do to minimize distractions while they’re driving the more they can help lower their risk of getting into an accident. Because seniors have slower reaction times than other age groups it’s very important that they are not distracted while they are driving. Home care providers can help seniors with many different aspects of daily life, including driving.
According to safety experts, the best things that seniors can do to minimize distractions while driving are:
Get Home Care
When seniors have home care they have someone with them who can drive in the car with them or take over the driving if your senior loved one doesn’t feel they can drive safely. A home care provider can do things like read a map or get directions and help seniors drive safely by looking out for other cars or problems on the road.
No Phone Calls While Driving
Phone calls can be extremely distracting to drivers, especially to senior drivers who may have a hard time splitting their attention between the conversation and the road. Most cell phones allow users to turn on a setting that won’t allow calls to ring through when the car is in motion so that seniors won’t be distracted by phone calls while they are driving. Seniors should keep that setting enabled. Turning off Bluetooth in the car can also prevent calls and distractions.
Don’t Drive Tired
When seniors are tired or even fatigued they may have even slower reaction times that can cause them to drive dangerously and raise their risk of getting into an accident. Seniors who are driving should never drive alone so that they have someone with them who can let them know if their driving takes a turn for the worse. Seniors may not even realize they are driving poorly because they are tired. Having someone take over the driving is the best thing to do, but seniors who are alone and driving should pull over and walk around a little to make themselves more alert before continuing to drive.
Don’t Eat Or Drink While Driving
It’s very difficult to eat or drink while driving and it’s very easy for someone distracted by their food or coffee to look down for a second and get into an accident. Or to spill some of their food or drink and get into an accident because they aren’t watching the road. Seniors shouldn’t be eating or drinking when they’re in the car to minimize the risk of getting into an accident because they are distracted. If seniors really need to eat or drink something in order to keep their blood sugar off they should find a place to park and eat or drink then continue on their way.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Huntington Beach CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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