When deciding it is time to take the car keys away from an elderly driver, a caregiver must balance the desire to keep a loved one safe with their desire to stay independent.

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Are elderly drivers really a hazard? Or does their experience make them safer drivers? When should a caregiver think about pulling the keys?

Researchers from Australian National University set out to examine the effect of aging on driving performance by having elderly subjects take a 12-mile on-road driving test. The participants were monitored by a literal "back seat driver" who noted the number of so-called ‘critical mistakes' made, including tailgating, neglecting to check blind spots and speeding.

The results: Those who were between the ages of 70 and 74 only made one serious driving error, while those 85 or older made an average of four mistakes.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) monthly newsletter "Safety in Numbers," the NHTSA cited the top five types of accident-inducing maneuvers a senior driver is most likely to make: changing lanes on a road with at least four different lanes, making a left turn at an intersection when there is no specific turn arrow, merging onto a highway via a ramp with a yield sign, making a left turn at an intersection containing a stop sign, and merging with traffic that is going 40-45 miles per hour by making a right turn at a yield sign.


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These sources both point to the validity of caregiver concerns. If you've noticed changes in an elderly loved one's driving abilities, it may be time to devise a plan for taking away the keys. 

Read: Taking the Keys: What To Do if Mom or Dad Won't Stop Driving