At a glance
- Who: drivers 65 and older, and adult children or caregivers
- Time: 45 minutes
- You need: a car in the parking lot (optional), printed self-checks, large-print handouts
Agenda
- 0:00 Welcome (5 min) Frame it: “This is about staying on the road safely, not leaving it.”
- 0:05 Car fit check (15 min) In a parked car, check together: at least 10 inches between chest and steering wheel; can see 3 inches over the wheel; mirrors set to cut blind spots; pedals reached without stretching; seat belt across shoulder and hips; head restraint level with the middle of the head.
- 0:20 Medications and alertness (10 min) Many common medicines, and combinations of them, cause drowsiness or slow reactions. Bring the list to a pharmacist and ask: “Which of these affect driving?”
- 0:30 Night, weather and routes (10 min) Glare and night vision change with age. Ideas: drive in daylight, choose routes with protected left turns, skip rush hour and storms, keep the windshield and headlights clean. Show the stopping distance simulator with a 2-second reaction.
- 0:40 Planning ahead (5 min) Name backup rides now: family, friends, transit, ride services. Hand out the family conversation guide.
Self-check: have any of these happened lately?
- ☐ Getting lost on familiar routes
- ☐ Close calls or new dents and scrapes
- ☐ Trouble judging gaps when turning left or merging
- ☐ Other drivers honking often
- ☐ Feeling nervous or worn out after driving
- ☐ Trouble seeing at night or in glare
- ☐ A doctor or pharmacist suggested limiting driving
One or two checks: talk to your doctor and consider a driving evaluation. Many hospitals offer them through occupational therapy.
Fun facts (and not-so-fun facts)
- There were almost 52 million licensed drivers 65 and older in the US, up 77% since 2004.CDC, 2022
- 91.3% of people in the US wore seat belts.NHTSA, 2025
- Speeding was a factor in 29% of all US traffic deaths: 11,288 people.NHTSA, 2024
- About 9,100 adults 65 and older were killed in crashes and over 270,000 were treated in emergency departments: about 25 deaths and 740 injuries a day.CDC, 2022
- 48% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not buckled up: 9,758 people.NHTSA, 2024
Family conversation guide
- Start early and privately, before there’s a crisis.
- Lead with independence: “How can we make sure you can keep getting where you want to go?”
- Use specifics, not labels: “I noticed the new scrape on the door,” not “You’re a bad driver.”
- Bring options, such as daytime-only driving, shorter trips or a ride schedule.
- Involve the doctor if safety concerns are serious.
If you’re in a crash
Older adults can be more seriously hurt in the same crash, so see a doctor even for minor pain. In Michigan, your own auto policy pays medical bills regardless of fault, and if you are on Medicare your policy may coordinate with it. See choosing a PIP coverage level.
Free to copy and adapt; please credit “Road Safety Academy, Grove and Associates PLC.”
Questions people ask us
Is this about taking away the car keys?
No. It is about driving safely for longer: adjusting the car, managing medications and night driving, and planning ahead, so the person stays in charge of the decision.
Who usually hosts it?
Senior centers, libraries, faith communities, retiree groups, AARP chapters, and adult children who want a helpful way to start the conversation.
