Signs an older driver may need to stop: what to watch for
Warning signs that driving is getting unsafe and the next step for each one
Most older adults are careful drivers. They wear seat belts more often than younger people, and they rarely drink and drive. Among car occupants killed in 2023 whose belt use was known, those 65 and older were buckled up 70 percent of the time. For people under 65, it was 45 percent [1].
But aging changes the body. Eyes need more light. Necks get stiff. Reaction time slows. And older bodies are more fragile, so the same crash hurts them more. Drivers 70 and older have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than middle aged drivers [2]. This guide lists the warning signs to watch for and what to do about each one.
No birthday decides it
The National Institute on Aging says there is no single age to stop driving [3]. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says decisions should never be based on age alone [4].
That is good news. The real question is “Can this person still drive safely?” It is not “How old is this person?” A healthy 85 year old may drive better than a 68 year old with untreated cataracts.
Warning signs on the road
The National Institute on Aging lists signs that driving may be getting unsafe [3]. Watch for these:
- Getting lost on roads they know well
- Trouble seeing signs, lane lines or people at the side of the road
- Missing stop signs or red lights
- Drifting into other lanes or onto the shoulder
- Driving much too slow or too fast for traffic
- Other drivers honking often
- Slow or confused reactions when something unexpected happens
- Mixing up the gas and brake pedals
- Close calls or near misses
- New dents or scrapes on the car, mailbox or garage
- Two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the last two years
- Feeling nervous, tired or overwhelmed after driving
- Family, friends or a doctor saying they are worried
One sign alone may not mean much. Everyone gets lost now and then. A pattern is what matters. Keep a simple log with dates and details.
Health problems that affect driving
Many warning signs trace back to a health change. Some can be treated.
Vision. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are common with age. Glare at night is often the first problem people notice. A yearly eye exam is one of the best things an older driver can do.
Hearing. Hearing loss can hide sirens, horns and train signals. Hearing aids help.
Stiff joints and weak muscles. Arthritis in the neck makes it hard to look over a shoulder. Weak legs can slow a move from gas to brake.
Medicines. Sleep aids, some allergy pills, pain medicines, anxiety medicines and muscle relaxers can cause drowsiness or slow thinking. Mixing several medicines raises the risk. Ask a pharmacist to review every medicine, including over the counter ones.
Medical conditions. Diabetes, sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart problems and seizures can all affect driving.
Memory and thinking. Dementia affects judgment and attention. It gets worse over time. See our separate guide on dementia and driving.
Match each sign to a next step
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
What a warning sign may mean and what to do next
| What you notice | What it may point to | A sensible next step |
|---|---|---|
| Trouble at night or in glare | Cataracts or other eye changes | Eye exam; drive in daylight only until it is treated |
| Drowsy or foggy behind the wheel | Medicine side effects or poor sleep | Ask a pharmacist or doctor to review all medicines |
| Hard to turn and check blind spots | Neck or back stiffness | Physical therapy, wider mirrors, a car with blind spot alerts |
| Late braking, pedal confusion | Slower reactions, foot problems | Professional driving evaluation right away |
| Getting lost on familiar roads | Possible memory or thinking problem | See a doctor soon; stop solo driving until checked |
| New dents and scrapes | Judging space, vision or attention | Ride along to see what is happening; consider an evaluation |
Source: Based on guidance from the National Institute on Aging and NHTSA [3, 4].
Watch more closely on a ride along
The best information comes from riding with the driver. Sit in the passenger seat on a normal errand. Stay quiet and watch.
Pay attention to these moments:
- Left turns across traffic. Older drivers have more trouble judging the speed of oncoming cars. Left turns at intersections are a common crash type for them.
- Merging and lane changes. Do they check mirrors and look over a shoulder?
- Stop signs. Do they come to a full stop and look both ways?
- Parking lots. Low speed bumps and scrapes often happen here first.
- After the drive. Do they seem worn out or shaky?
Try not to correct them during the drive. You want to see their normal driving.
Simple fixes that can extend safe driving
Many drivers can keep going safely with a few changes:
- Fit the car to the driver. Seat height, mirror angles and steering wheel distance matter. Programs called CarFit offer free checks in many areas.
- Choose a safer car. Look for automatic emergency braking, blind spot alerts and a rear camera. Good headlights matter for night driving.
- Plan smarter trips. Use routes with traffic lights for left turns. Avoid rush hour, bad weather and night driving.
- Take a refresher course. Classroom and online courses review new road rules. Some insurers give a discount for finishing one.
When signs add up
If you see several warning signs, or one serious one, do not wait. A comprehensive driving evaluation by a trained specialist can show what is safe. It may lead to limits, special equipment, lessons or a plan to stop.
If the danger is immediate, contact the person’s doctor. You can also ask your state driver licensing agency to review the driver. Every state has a process.
Self check for older drivers
Ask yourself these questions honestly. If you answer “yes” to several, talk with your doctor about a driving evaluation.
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Do other drivers honk at me more than they used to?
- Have I gotten lost on a road I know?
- Do I find it hard to see at night or in glare?
- Have I had a crash, near miss or new dent in the past year?
- Have I gotten two or more tickets or warnings in two years?
- Do I feel nervous or tired after driving?
- Has someone I trust told me they are worried?
Frequently asked questions
Do older drivers cause more crashes?
Per licensed driver, drivers 65 and older are not the highest risk group. Teens and young adults have more crashes. But per mile driven, crash risk starts to rise in the 70s. Older drivers are also more likely to be badly hurt in a crash.
Do states test older drivers more often?
Some do. Rules vary. Some states require vision tests or in person renewal after a certain age. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety keeps a state by state table [5].
Who gets hurt in crashes involving older drivers?
Mostly the older drivers themselves and their passengers. In 2023, 70 percent of people killed in crashes involving drivers 70 and older were the older drivers (57 percent) or their passengers (12 percent) [5].
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Older Drivers: Facts” (Traffic Safety Marketing). trafficsafetymarketing.gov/…/older-drivers
- 2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Older Adult Drivers.” cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers
- 3National Institute on Aging. “Older Drivers.” nia.nih.gov/health/safety/older-drivers
- 4National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Older Drivers.” nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers
- 5Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Older drivers.” iihs.org/ratings/topics/older-drivers
This article reflects the safety priorities of older driver safety and family caregiving. It is general education, not medical advice. Check official sources and your doctor for guidance. Reviewed November 2026.
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