Our elder population is growing exponentially and they have become acclimated to a level of independence that seniors of a previous era were not. More frequently, we see older individuals pushing the limits of being on their own and taking care of themselves. One of the ways they try to hold onto their independence and freedom is by driving. However, at some point they will become a hazard on the road and put themselves and others at risk when they are behind the wheel. It's important to pay attention to the warning signs and take action when you see that your loved one is a dangerous driver.

Pay attention to a change in your elderly relative's driving patterns. If you notice that they're frequently bumping into non-moving objects such as fences and mailboxes, they may be having difficulty determining distance which can be very dangerous when they're in traffic coming to a stop. If you notice that they have difficult finding their way around and get lost more often, this could be a sign of memory deterioration. Maybe your loved one has a difficult time driving in a straight line without swerving into other lanes, or they have a slow reactionary response. If any of these hold true, it may be time to revoke their keys.

When it comes time to take the keys away from your elderly relative, keep in mind that it's a very touch situation for them. They may feel that you're taking away their last bit of independence which is why you must be very sensitive to their feelings and approach the topic carefully. It is very common for them to react defensively. Try to offer different alternatives for transportation to make the idea seem less scary.

There should be various alternative transportation options available depending on the area. If your loved one is located in a populated region, there will likely be mass transit options such as a public bus or subway. Taxis are also an option, though they are usually much more expensive. Some places have senior shuttles that you can sign up for as well. If you have another relative who lives nearby, you might be able to set up a schedule where they can help your elderly loved one conduct their errands once a week.

You may be able to use your state's laws to back you up as well. The laws will vary by state but some of them require extensive testing to renew your drivers license once you reach a certain age. Often times they will require a vision test and sometimes even pass a medical examination. Once they realize that they may not pass one or more of these exams, they may hand over the keys voluntarily.

The physician of your elderly relative can also back you up. Their doctor is usually very aware of their mental health, any signs of dementia, their reaction time, and any physical disabilities that may effect their driving. In this case, the physician can write out a letter urging the importance of revoking the senior's drivers license.

It may be necessary to organize an intervention where you can gather friends and family members who are also concerned about your elderly relative driving. It's important that your relative doesn't feel ganged up on, so approach the topic with sensitivity and make sure they understand that you all care for them.

It may be the case that your loved one isn't at the point where you need to take their license away completely. But, they may be at the stage where you should begin restricting their driving to a small area around their house and to not allow them to drive on the freeway or at not.