Retirees, When Are You Giving Up Driving? 👴👵

[Anonymous]

• Discussion created on April 18, 2021.
• Stop by to read our comments and/or add a comment.
• We luv hearing from you!
• Lol, cute .gif of an old lady driving with her dog looking petrified is attached to this post!! 🤣😂 Poor furbaby. 😞
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[AnnaA727881]

This is such a fun and thoughtful topic 😊
My grandfather drove until he was 87 but only to church and the grocery store! We used to tease him that his car knew the way better than he did 😂

I think giving up driving isn’t about age, but about feeling safe and confident.
Sometimes the hardest part is accepting that it’s okay to slow down.

Curious to hear others’ stories too! When did you or your loved ones decide to hand over the keys?

Warm wishes to all 💛
– Anna

[WebWiseWoman]

You are so right, Anna! I quit driving just before Covid, when I recognized I couldn't ignore my loss of attention to my surroundings. I knew then I might harm others, so stepped aside and sold "Bessie" (my reliable Jeep) so I was no longer a "driver"...

Perhaps the Covid lock-downs eased my withdrawal, since going out wasn't a good thing; but either way, I don't regret giving up driving. There are so many people I might have harmed by driving when I shouldn't have; I consider them worthy of my being honest of myself...

[SpringIsHereVA]

This event is TOMORROW. There is space. Registration required.

‌‌👴‌‌‌‌🚘‌‌‌‌👵‌‌   AGING and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Seminar (Free AARP "online" Event - Members/Non Members)

FROM THE EVENT SITE.

Are you worried about your loved one's driving?  It may be time to consider whether they should limit or stop driving.

In the free "We Need to Talk" virtual seminar from AARP, you'll get tips to help you assess an older adult’s driving skills and tools to help you have these important family conversations on driving.

Duration: 60 Minutes.

Free Online Event.

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AND CLASSES. Search by "category" or "date".

https://local.aarp.org/virtual-community-center/

[SpringIsHereVA]

UPCOMING EVENTS - registration required.

*** June 26th, July 17th. ***

‌👴‌‌🚘‌‌👵‌   AGING and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Seminar (Free AARP "online" Event - Members/Non Members)

FROM THE EVENT SITE.

Are you worried about your loved one's driving?  It may be time to consider whether they should limit or stop driving.

In the free "We Need to Talk" virtual seminar from AARP, you'll get tips to help you assess an older adult’s driving skills and tools to help you have these important family conversations on driving.

Duration: 60 Minutes.

Free Online Event.

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AND CLASSES. Search by "category" or "date".

https://local.aarp.org/virtual-community-center/

[SpringIsHereVA]

[Monday 5/12/25]

I have HEARD so many versions of when we should "give up" driving.

(1) One version told to me by herself - Medicare Doctor made her turn in her Virginia Driver's License. She ended up giving up her apt in my complex & moved in with family in another state after selling her car.

(2) Another version, the State took their license. I am guessing they DIDNOT pass a "test"???? This was a random stranger, so I DIDNOT ask WHY.

*** Anyway, when do YOU plan on NOT driving anymore? Stop by to share & read what others have posted.

🚗🚘  Be SAFE out on the road.

Take care,

Nicole  👴👵  (Retirement Forum)

[SpringIsHereVA]

Made it to 2025 at age 67, still driving and HOPE to continue for more years.

I may NOT use my 2006 Hyundai Elantra that much anymore, but I am SO GRATEFUL to have her.

And MORE GRATEFUL to still have my Driver's License.

Nothing against UBER, but.....

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[AdelaB170309]

This is a very cool option, but we have to drive it under the premise of ensuring our safety.

[SpringIsHereVA]

Lol, when I cannot SEE or REMEMBER where I am going!  🤣😂

[WebWiseWoman]

How 'bout when I made this tough decision? When I may not realize danger to others?

A wonderful elderly lady basically mowed down a junior hs track team, unwittingly, due to lose of dexterity/sight/response time.

In 1986 I was DUIed following office party and meds; both the officer and supervisor were very nice and even mentioned I could be their spouse... hours later a DUI murdered a motorcyclist on the 91 due to dui; I felt she might have been me had I not been stopped.

When I realized I could no longer see 180 degrees while driving, not could I realize which speed was appropriate I stopped driving.

It's been an extreme inconvenience, but I feel I've made the right decision. I so hope others will recognize when they should stop driving.

Just as too many young drivers have caused rampant collisions lately, we older need to lead by example...

[ToniS570313]

I'm not, they gonna have to make me stop,,,LOL

[jacksc01]

I am currently 64 this year.  I know my mom had dementia and we had to hide her car keys so that she would no longer drive but we kept her car for her until she passed away because it always seem to comfort her that she could look out the window and see that her car was still there.  I drive very little since retirement.  I have only put 7,000 miles on my car that I purchased brand new. in 2012.  I think when it gets to point that I am behind the wheel and start not knowing exactly where I am - that will be a sign to me that I need to give up the keys. 

[Anonymous]

💥Friday - July 2, 2021💥

Thank you so much for stopping by to join our discussion @jacksc01 😁 Have awesome day/night!

[GailL1]

I don't drive much now.  My car is older than yours, @Anonymous now - 2001 Honda Accord EX, purchased it new in 2001 and now has 130,000 miles.

Guess I will stop driving when and if I become a safety hazard or I can no longer find my keys or maybe the actual car.  So far, so good.  I go a few places and all those places only allows me to do right hand turns; that way hopefully, I won't slow down anybody else by me trying to turn left.

[AdelaB170309]

In fact, we can clearly know whether we can still drive, so when we know that we can no longer drive the car perfectly, we must stop in time.

[SpringIsHereVA]

Thanks for stopping by Adela @AdelaB170309 !!! Take care, Nicole  👵  (Retirement Forum)

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➡️[*** Adela wrote:

In fact, we can clearly know whether we can still drive, so when we know that we can no longer drive the car perfectly, we must stop in time. ***]

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[zephyr321215]

I love driving so it will be a bummer when I have to do so. Sixty five and still drive a motorcycle too. My dad is 90 and still driving, though mostly during the day and around town. He doesn't like to drive new places far away, which is probably a good idea.

[Anonymous]

💥April 27, 2021💥

Hi @zephyr321215 thank you for stopping by to join our discussion 🙂 🙂 🙂

[DeahWA]

They will have to pry my cold dead hands off my Mazda hatchback's stick shift. LOL

[fffred]

@DeahWA Hooray for stick shifts! I miss mine, I gave that up when I realized that wife was not going to be able to drive that in the event of a road emergency (eg: I become ill while driving in the boonies, she wouldn't be able to drive stick).

[Anonymous]

💥April 18, 2021💥

Me, would like to do it NOW at age 63, but luv seeing my old lady (2006 Hyundai Elantra) parked out front = my ESCAPE from my upstairs neighbors from HELL/lol. Once I find a Tiny Cottage to rent in Salem, Virginia, I will probably turn my keys in when she dies of old age. Driving STRESSES me out here. Folks riding your BUMPER. Over the years (started driving at age 18 in St. Louis, Missouri - Honda Civic Hatchback), I have been REAR ENDED and not my fault. No speeding tickets. Lol, got pulled over and WARNED as soon as I drove the car off the lot. That SCARED me enough. Grateful cop knew it was an innocent mistake.

[DeahWA]

St Louis??!! Me too!! @Anonymous 

[postman29]

Being 63 this year myself I feel I have many more good years to go. At least until my wife tells me to stop.

[Anonymous]

💥April 18, 2021💥

Hi @postman29 lol, yes, she wants to make sure you stick around. Thanks for stoppibg by to join our discussion 🙂

[MitchellE771402]

I am only 62 but my mother is 89 and we have had recent discussions about taking the keys away. For now, she is still driving but limits her driving to perfect conditions - broad daylight with no rain/snow. Never at dusk or dawn or at night. The neighbors have followed her home at times and said that while she isn't setting any speed records she is driving safely. She also accepts offers to go into town with others instead of driving herself. My fear is that we obviously cannot wait until she is unable to drive to take her keys away. She seems to see well at a distance but struggles reading simple things up close, like the gas gauge. I say that because it is clear now her eyesight will be the driving force in the decision.

[WebWiseWoman]

This is a hard decision but my adult children finally convinced me; perhaps it was COVID, but I think it was just I needed their opinions... perhaps that's all your mother needs is people speaking with her and being honest?

I'm sorry this is happening to her but if you feel okay with it, please convey, I'm with her on no longer driving; it's hurtful and painful, and I wish I still could.

But I still strongly believe when we lose our responsiveness, we need to stop.

Please, other Seniors, please stop driving when these issues become hard; not apparent, but hard.

Thank you in advance!

[SpringIsHereVA]

Yes, I agree Mitchell @MitchellE771402 , it is "wisdom" to transistion her BEFORE something happens. It is totally AWESOME so many people care about her!!!  💛  Thanks for stopping by. Take care, Nicole  👴👵  (Retirement Forum)

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➡️[*** Mitchell wrote on Saturday 5/31/25:

I am only 62 but my mother is 89 and we have had recent discussions about taking the keys away. For now, she is still driving but limits her driving to perfect conditions - broad daylight with no rain/snow. Never at dusk or dawn or at night. The neighbors have followed her home at times and said that while she isn't setting any speed records she is driving safely. She also accepts offers to go into town with others instead of driving herself. My fear is that we obviously cannot wait until she is unable to drive to take her keys away. She seems to see well at a distance but struggles reading simple things up close, like the gas gauge. I say that because it is clear now her eyesight will be the driving force in the decision. ***]

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