When do we stop driving: I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I...

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Frank romero wrote:

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

Frank, only you can answer when you should stop driving, but don't think you're the only one ever made a mistake 😂 The little two horse town I live by got four lanes now and right after it was done I turned the wrong way one day and was only 52 years old,, I'd say just be very careful when you're behind the wheel 👍 Chuck

Blackwarrior67 Loc: Greene County, Alabama

You seem to be able to make a good assessment of your capabilities. That day will come to all of us.
On the other hand, sometimes timing of day,, how we feel about getting out there, etc. can make all the difference. Wish you luck.

1Oldboat42 Loc: Kearney, Nebraska

Frank romero wrote:

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

We wondered on the same question when it came to my mother-in-law. She drove until she was 93, being the chauffeur for many ladies younger than she. Being in rural Nebraska that meant driving highways from town to town. The only thing she ever ran into were deer, the hazard of rural living. She realized that at 93 it was time to stop, white made it very easy on my wife and I. So, be careful always and let it be your decision.
MiL turns 96 on Sunday.

HBM

I think you will know when to stop driving. You have already taken the first step. My ww2 vet friend George will be 97 this year. He stoped driving at 93. His wife asked me to have the it’s time to quit driving talk. On one of our trips to the VA we started the Talk. He loved driving and his old Lincoln. He admitted that day he had thought about giving up his license. The next week he told me he gave his license back and I have been his driver ever since. I am 71 and I had my first accident that was my fault.I was looking for a new lake near my town in a place I hadn’t driven before. I pulled out in front of a woman with 1 teenager and 1 baby in a car seat. My car was totaled and hers had to be towed away. Nobody was hurt. I always thought I was a safe and alert driver. If you are thinking about it it’s probably time. Bobby

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

Frank romero wrote:

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

Quit Driving.

Today, a car pulled out in front of me in a 50mph zone. The car was doing maybe 30MPH. The car would have been slammed if I had not been paying attention. The vehicle continued around 30MPH and drove straight through a red light.

I stopped. I thought it was a senior driver.

If you can't keep up with the changes and see all six sides of your vehicle, please consider alternatives.

I'm sad that happened to you, Frank.

You asked for opinions.

BD

PS. I am 63 years old.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Frank romero wrote:

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

Frank the guy that hit us headon in Aug was 60 something.
My guess drunk.

As for running red lights I see it all the time. Most aren't seniors.

About a yr ago a old guy did run a red on me.
Lucky nobody in left turn lane on that side of the intersection I would have hit somebody.
We've been in 4 accidents. All by negligence of other drivers.
Drunk ran a stop sign broadside $6,200 next ran red light broadside forget how much.
Both late 30 early 40. #3 69 yr old woman ileagal turn broadside $3,500 #4 the head on totaled n serious injuries truck totaled.
Around here 5 dead teens.
Two on prom nite. Hit tree heading
Next days after graduation 3boys ran under a tractor trailer 2 dead instantly third next day.
It happens in all ages.
Just be careful brother.
I'm 77 👍👍

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

Grizzly 17 wrote:

Frank the guy that hit us headon in Aug was 60 som... (show quote)

Hold on, Griz.
You read me wrong!

Frank, you can order and have anything delivered to you—especially groceries and takeout.

You can learn to use UBER, and you will be surprised at the wonderful people you will meet.

The fact is, driving is becoming outdated. Yeah, I get the independence part. But my goodness, let someone else drive.

If you have serious questions about driving, then now is the time to practice alternatives.

For the record, I am a parcel delivery driver. I see tens, if not hundreds, of near misses every month.

Frank, I'm glad you are cognizant of your depreciating driving skills. I wish more people were like you.

Like Griz said, just be careful.

BD

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

Blackdog wrote:

Quit Driving. br br Today, a car pulled out in fr... (show quote)

I thank you. I did ask although I have already made up my mind to just drive in my area that I am familiar with for a while longer. Won’t drive in areas where I don’t know. That was the reason I wasn’t paying attention to the light. Trying to figure out which lane I was supposed to be on.

Fish-N-Fool Loc: N. Idaho

Anybody can make a mistake, but I've seen a lot of people that shouldn't be driving at any age. If you feel comfortable driving, then I say no problem, if you are nervous driving it may be time to not drive as much. I plan on driving my boat to the lake and fishing till they put me in the ground.

HBM

HBM again. You might want to consider not driving at night.I have cut down on my night driving myself. The last week of deer season coming home from hunting a deer jumped right out in front of me. I didn’t hit it but it was too close. I try to got all my running around during the day. Not driving at night may be easier to adjust your driving less. Bobby

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Frank romero wrote:

I am 78. Yesterday I ran a red light and got into as accident. I was trying to figure out what lane I was supposed to be on and forgot to check the light. I have decided to cut down on my driving. What is your opinion?

Sorry to read this Frank and a really tough question to answer because everyone's health both physical and mental is so different.

My wife's Father made it into his late 80's with limits to where he knew he could go without getting loss or that there was road work going on that he would be unfamiliar with. Basically know where you are going and if need to go somewhere different have someone take you, just don't give up your freedom completely if you are comfortable with your surroundings.

And one tip here. Turn off the radio.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Blackdog wrote:

Hold on, Griz. br You read me wrong! br br Frank,... (show quote)

Black dog I logged alot of miles on the road in my lifetime.
Normally 20,000 plus usually plus annually.
That didn't include all the miles working for highway dept.
I don't trust alot of people driving 👍.

Absolutely don't trust anyone on the highway.
Always scanning front back n sides.
Now with so many on phones we really need to watch our 6.

The August accident was on a two lane bridge. Nowhere to run. Did what I could to minimize damage.
Gave him all the room I could n last second he drove into us. Full speed never tried to stop.

Too many unnecessary accidents that aren't age related.
Cell phones should be considered as deadly weapons 👍🤕.

I put mine in the door pouch n it stays there.
If I get a call I'll check at a light or stop sign.
I'll pull over if I need to respond.
Wife gives me crap if I don't answer.
She knows I won't 👍

Driving defensive fellows.
More I know how to drive people out there every day

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Wouldn't attempt to give advice but reaffirm your decision to drive where you are comfortable.
Around here they have changed the signage in lanes so you don't realize it's a left turn only lane until you've passed 5 cars on your right, then see the big white arrow painted in the lane, sheesh! I turn left in that case but many will just cut in front and go straight anyway. And, used to be yellow light meant caution, slow down, now it means speed up you're going through a red light. Every day at least three people I see run red lights.
When I have a stop sign now, I look left, look right, then left again before going since some exceed speed limit and are on top of you in the two seconds you looked to the right. Also it's a biker habit.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

Frank, as you seen from the various replies, you're not alone. I'm 75, and I remember as a young child seeing stop signs which were colored yellow. (This didn't change until 1954) Changes in road design and signaling has been a constant throughout our lives, but as I get older it seems to accelerate and I find myself more often behind the curve of change.
All of the above suggestions are good, but I really now stick to the following:
-no cell phone use in the car.
-radio on only during longer trips with my wife.
-rarely drive at night.
-keep up on car maintenance and don't let the fuel get under a quarter tank.
-drive like everyone is truly out to get me.
Good luck with your decision, Frank.