DWO - Driving While Old

Roy S. Gilbert

December 17, 2025

About 25 years ago, my daughter shared some concerns she had about riding in a car with my father driving. She was visiting my parents who lived in Florida. My father had lost the sight of one eye as a consequence of serving in the military during World War II. Although he had learned to compensate for this loss, his ability to do so declined as he aged. Apparently, my father frequently rode up on curbs and sidewalks as he was attempting to park, stating to my daughter that they were only there as suggested boundaries.

At one of our recent team meetings, the subject was raised about how one knows when they shouldn’t be driving anymore. The logical additional question then becomes, how do you communicate to someone that they should consider no longer driving.

We know that driving represents a sense of independence and freedom. However, as we age, our physical and cognitive abilities, and hence our driving ability, declines. The rate of that decline may vary among different individuals. One problem is that it may often decline much faster than our ability to recognize or admit to the decline. Therefore, the questions: when is it time to stop driving? How do you tell someone it is time?

Are older drivers bad drivers?

The fact is that the number of drivers over the age of 70 is increasing as this age group is making up an increasing percentage of the population. In addition, those over 70 seem to be keeping their licenses longer. Although, the rate of fatalities of drivers over 70 per capita has decreased 45% since 1975, the rate of crashes may begin to increase around age 70¹.

The fatality rate considering drivers over 65 increased from 2021 to 2022 and the fatality rate was highest for the 85+ age group. Interestingly, older (65+) female drivers accounted for 24% of all female driver fatalities, while older male drivers accounted for 18% of all male driver fatalities. Most fatal crashes involving older drivers in 2022 occurred during the day, during the week and involved more than one car².

When to stop driving.

There are several warning signs that it may be time to limit or discontinue driving. Some include:

Declining vision. Older people generally need more light for driving which can make night driving difficult. In addition, focusing may take more time, colors may be more difficult to distinguish from each other and depth perception may decline³.
Declining hearing. The ability to hear the traffic and traffic sounds such as horns and sirens around you signaling the need to pull over or get out of the way may decline with age⁴.
Medications and medical conditions. Although there are exceptions, in general, older people may take more medications than younger people. Some of them may cause alertness issues. In addition, conditions such as Parkinsons, seizure disorders and dementia can negatively impact driving ability. A medical opinion regarding driving ability should be sought where this may be an issue⁴.
Declining physical condition. With increasing age may come increasing pain and stiffness and perhaps worsening conditions such as arthritis which may result in a declining ability to maneuver to check blind spots or possibly even to steer appropriately.
Delayed reaction times. Aging can result in slower reaction times to change lanes, brake, speed up or react to a skid in an emergency.
Accidents, unexplained dents, close calls and incidents of confusion or disorientation. There may be frequent fender benders or close calls. Getting lost in familiar areas, having trouble staying in a lane or even getting honked at a lot can be warning signs³.

Communicating the problem and potential solutions.

Communicating one’s concern over safety on the road to an older individual does not necessarily need to be posed as an ultimatum or simple binary choice of driving or not driving. A driving reduction glide-path, reducing driving time and/or miles during a transitionary period, could be a good solution. Driving privileges don’t necessarily need to be surrendered just because a certain age is reached. However, loved ones cannot be blind to the additional risks posed by DWO.

There are some seniors who may voluntarily reduce their driving or sell their cars and stop driving altogether. As part of a transition period, seniors may elect to drive only during the daytime, only cars with automatic transmissions, only in good weather, not at busy traffic times and only in a car set up properly for their comfort⁴.

However, self-regulation may not always work. Sometimes the need to stop driving has to be communicated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a basic three-step approach to having the “stop driving talk”⁵:

First Step: Collect information. This includes gathering all relevant medical data as well as observations of the senior driver’s driving and non-driving activities. The senior’s own assessment may also be relevant information.
Second Step: Develop a plan of action. Based on the data and observations collected, this begins with a conversation with the senior driver about capabilities, followed by a discussion of the correctability of any issues and alternative transportation options. These conversations should be focused on the enhancement of independence as well as safety concerns.
Third step: Implement the plan. Any plan without implementation is only a wish and wishes don’t always come to pass. The plan, constructed as a result of the actions agreed on in Step Two needs to be implemented with sensitivity. Here’s where the above-mentioned transition driving glidepath may be helpful. Progress and current capabilities should be reviewed regularly. Additional resources are listed at the end of this article for more information and assistance.

In summary, DWO isn’t a crime or a condition that necessarily needs to end abruptly. Addressing it is a safety issue as well as an emotional one. Its solution takes sensitivity and a well thought out plan of action which may involve many areas of a senior’s life including not only alternative transportation sources but possibly also other changes to increase the accessibility of life’s needs.

The Family Wealth Decisions Group includes these types of considerations as part of their comprehensive wealth planning process, not isolated from it. Please contact us for a complimentary consultation to discuss how a comprehensive planning process may benefit your family.

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Community resources that may be available for additional information and assistance.

Area agencies on aging. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 and ask for your local Office on Aging or go to the website at eldercare.gov.
Driver rehabilitation specialist. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Older Driver Resource Center or the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists at 800-290-2344.
Departments of Motor Vehicles. A family member can report a driver to the DMV by writing a letter citing examples of unsafe driving behavior or medical conditions of concern.
AAA/AARP driver safety programs
Alzheimer’s Association chapter where applicable. Go online or call the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center: alz.org 800-272-3900.

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