Many people depend on having a car and do not see how life can go together without a car. But in traffic it is especially important to be fully aware of your senses and to only drive if you have the ability to drive your vehicle safely. Otherwise, the Swedish Transport Agency can revoke the driver’s license.
News24 have spoken to the Swedish Transport Agency, which lists the warning signs that you, who are older, should pay attention to in order to be able to decide for yourself whether the driver’s license should be put on the shelf.
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More pensioners have their driving license revoked
According to statistics from the Swedish Transport Agency, more and more elderly people are having their driving licenses revoked for medical reasons, something that Nyheter24 previously wrote about. What the increased numbers are believed to be due to may be that we are getting older to a greater extent today.
“A driver’s license revocation is a mark by society of dangerous and unacceptable behavior, even if the decision itself is a purely traffic safety measure,” writes Mikael Anderssonpress manager at the Swedish Transport Agency, in a press release.
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This is how driving is affected by aging
Even before getting a driver’s license, eye examinations are carried out because good eyesight is a prerequisite for being able to drive safely. Normally, vision changes with age and therefore it is important, regardless of how old you are, to be aware of any vision changes.
But there are significantly more symptoms to take into account when driving, especially as you get older.
According to Åsa Ericsoninvestigator at the Swedish Transport Agency, says that sensitivity to glare increases with normal aging and at the same time night vision deteriorates.
– If, for example, you experience major problems with seeing in the dark, you should only drive in daylight, she says.
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Diseases and medicines
Common diseases that affect driving include dementia, Parkinson’s disease and MS. But medicines can also affect the suitability of driving a car.
If you have started new medication or increased the dose, the Swedish Transport Agency recommends refraining from driving to wait and see how you react to it. It is always best to put safety first.
– You must not drive if, for example, attention, alertness or the ability to react deteriorates so that you cannot drive safely, says Åsa Ericson.
7 warning signs – then you should stop driving
It can be difficult to decide for yourself when, or understand that, you should stop driving. Therefore, it is good to discuss the situation with a doctor or a relative.
It is often the relatives who react to the warning signals first. Åsa therefore recommends that relatives contact the Swedish Transport Agency if they feel worried.
Listed below are seven warning signals that may mean that the driver is unable to cope with the demands of the traffic. It could be that the driver:
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