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Mother is still driving at 92. Her vision is not good. She doesn't do any freeway driving; only drives to the grocery store, post office, and small shopping center. The most she drives is probably 20 minutes from her home 1 way to get to these locations. When she does drive she is home by 3pm; never drives at night. I'm concerned because there is always a lot of city traffic where she lives. She lives near a highschool too and those teens drive recklessly. Her vision is poor in one eye only. She lost her center vision; leaving her with only her peripheral vision in the bad eye. Her other eye is good. I don't live in the same state as my mother. She has a son and he lives in a different country. When I visit my mother she wants me to do all the driving. She won't drive. So I don't know how she drives. She is very fearful to leave the house at this time in her life, but does, when it's absolutely necessary. Should I be concerned? I suggested having someone drive her around to do her errands, but she wouldn't hear of it. Once her license expires, she will not be able to renew. It says so right on her license. I really don't know how she passed her eye test this last renewal time. I was hoping that her license wouldn't be renewed so I wouldn't be the bad guy. Any advice?

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Have her drive the next time you see her. Consider that her "road test". My husband insisted his mother drove just fine. So I asked him to let her drive him to a family picnic. He got out of that car as white as a sheet.
If you are not willing to let mom risk your life, don't let her put anyone else in the risk pool either.
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After many accidents, I would sit in the passengers seat and pray, God, you know me and where I am, please protect me. He did.

I wish it would be as easy as my situation was. The insurance company was raising the rates because of two accidents. He willingly turned in his license and our rates are cut in half. I thank God for a reasonable partner.
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I have an 86-yo friend who is blind in one eye and can't see out the other. Still he drives. It is awful to ride with him, because he sways from one side of the lane to the other. When there is a stop sign or red light, he hits the brake several times because he can't judge the distance. So you rock forward and back at every stop until he gets it right. A person could get seasick.

The telltale thing that lets me know he shouldn't be driving anymore is an ever increasing number of dings in his car. There are dings now on three corners of the car and a more recent dint in the rear license plate area. I suggested that he move into assisted living so he wouldn't have to drive so much, but he wants to stay in his home. He leaves his house in the morning and drives different places every day. He has children, but none have taken a stand on the issue. They may have also talked to him, but he doesn't mention it to me.

I read a report the other day that elderly drivers have fewer accidents than younger ones. When they do have accidents, they tend to be not so serious. This is because they drive less and drive slower. Still, pulling out in front of another car or changing lanes can cause serious accidents. These are two things I know he has done in this past year. He is so intent on driving, though, that my words fall on deaf ears, and his driving record is spotless, so the dmv would not be concerned.

I personally do not like to drive all that much. I will be more than happy to give up the privilege when it comes time. I already wish I could hire a chauffeur for this city interstate driving. Hate it!
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For financial reasons yes, take MOM'S keys away....Look into CITY RIDE, or other govt. city help for driving...
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Can you imagine the guilt your mom would go through if she was accused of causing an accident and hurting someone? And just think of all the litigations that accident may drag her through...... Firemen see a lot of this, go to your local fire department and ask... just ask, and ask them honestly what do they think and feel?
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Go in person to the Fire department, and the hospital, ER ... and ask them dead honest how they feel.....IS IT WORHT IT? Is it time to move mom closer to you? I did this.. with Mom and my dad's sister, my one and only aunt left,.... They both live near me, mom is about a 5 minute drive, and aunt is about a 2 minute drive...MIL is about a 6 minute drive......Got em close, it is easier with emergency issues and just wanting to see you issues......it's good.....although MIL still wants to go home.....
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Call the police.. tell them exactly what you've written here. They will want to know this person is Not Safe for the rest of us. They can revoke her license (somehow). But DO CALL her local police-- if you do not, and she kills someone, you have blood on your hands (sorry to be so emphatic, but it is really true). You know about a possible crime--you gotta speak up! Call the police right now! Before she gets in the car another time....and some person's life (and their babies) is cut short. MAKE THE CALL!
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Dear InTheMiddle - I went through exactly what you described when my mom was 92. The short drives, no freeways or nights, etc., and I was sure that she wouldn't be able to renew - but somehow did. So I thought maybe I was being too critical. Then I noticed the (previously hidden) signs of dementia. I don't know how long ago your mom's license was renewed, or if there has been a change in her condition since that time she renewed. The Calif DMV has a 'Request for Reexamination' form that can be filled out and mailed in. Maybe your state has something similar (Driver Safety Office?) DMV reviewed the information and sent her a letter requesting that she come in by a certain date to be re-examined. She couldn't - so her license was revoked by DMV. Meanwhile - as previous folks have recommended, hook her up with a community group (ours is ParaTransit) that provides rides to the elderly. Here it costs about $25/yr for the membership. Good luck.
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As with any situation regarding assisting an older adult with decision making, it is best to provide information so they can make an informed decision. It is often surprising to family members when the person makes their own decision to stop driving after all of the "objective criteria" is provided to them. There are tools available to help with this very topic. eldercareambassadors/ElderDriving

With this program the workbook is a great starting point. Taking the personal assessment is also a way for the person to self assess how their driving skills are. It is important to do as much as possible to support the person in making their own decision. Depending on where you are located may make a difference in the programs that are available to you.
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Giving up driving is a very brave for someone to do. Even if it is the right thing.
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