If your parent is in their eighties and still driving, you are probably holding two concerns at once: not wanting to take away their independence, and quietly worrying every time they pull out of the driveway. There is no single moment when it becomes obvious that it is time to stop. However, there are signs worth paying attention to, and knowing what to look for can protect both your parent and everyone else on the road.
Why driving becomes more dangerous with age
Aging affects driving in ways that are gradual and easy to overlook. Some of the most common changes include:
- Slower reaction time and reduced ability to process multiple inputs at once
- Declining night vision, increased glare sensitivity and narrowing peripheral vision
- Medications that affect alertness, including sedatives, antihistamines and some blood pressure drugs
- Cognitive changes, such as early-stage dementia, can affect judgment long before a VIformal diagnosis
According to the CDC, older drivers are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in crashes than younger drivers, even in accidents that might cause only minor injuries to someone younger.
Warning signs your parent may need to stop driving
Some of the clearest signals are easy to spot if you know what you are looking for:
- new dents, scrapes or unexplained damage to the car
- getting lost on familiar routes or missing well-known turns
- running red lights or stop signs, or failing to yield
- difficulty judging speed or distance at intersections
- driving significantly slower than the flow of traffic
- reports of near-misses or close calls from passengers or other drivers
A single incident is not necessarily cause for alarm. A pattern of these signs, especially several appearing together, is worth taking seriously.
How to talk to your parent about giving up driving
Frame the conversation around safety and care, not your parent’s capabilities. Involving their primary care physician can help, since a doctor raising these concerns carries more weight than a family member.
In Virginia, physicians can also submit a medical report to the Virginia DMV’s Medical Review Services unit, which can evaluate your parent’s driving status and, if warranted, require further testing or mandate a license action. This takes the decision out of the family dynamic entirely.
What happens when an elderly driver causes an accident in Virginia?
If your parent causes an accident, age is not a legal defense. They are held to the same negligence standard as any other driver, and the injured party can file a claim against your parent’s liability insurance or pursue a civil lawsuit. If damages exceed your parent’s policy limits, they could be personally liable for the difference.
If the car belongs to you and you knowingly allowed an impaired parent to drive it, you could also face liability under a negligent entrustment theory. If you are navigating this situation and are unsure what your family’s legal exposure looks like, speaking with an experienced lawyer can help you understand where things stand.
