My 95-year old father is living in an independent living facility. He LOVES to drive. After a recent bout of intestinal illness and subsequent weakness he fell. He didn't break anything but had very bruised ribs and was in a great deal of pain. I was bringing him groceries and taking him to appointments for about a month. I was hoping this episode would make him realize that it was time to give up the keys. No such luck. Yesterday I received a call from a very kind and patient police officer who pulled him over for running a stop sign. He's currently waiting on new hearing aids and couldn't hear the siren and apparently didn't notice the flashing lights. I was hoping he'd get a ticket but the officer was buying "I'm a cute super senior" and didn't cite him. He did talk to his supervisor who will send a message to the DMV that means my dad will have to be evaluated and take another driving test. Meanwhile, he's free to drive. He needs to be off the road but is insanely independent and STUBBORN! Any suggestions of how to convince him to voluntarily give up driving?
My oldest daughter tried to get out of buckling up. Kids wouldn’t be kids if they didn’t try. She was excited to get to the playground. It is up to us not to let them get away with it!
I told my daughter that the wheels didn’t turn if she wasn’t buckled up! LOL 😆
Well, one day my dad tried to get away without buckling up. My three year old from the back seat says, “Grandpa! You have to buckle up or the wheels won’t turn. My dad looked at me and said, “Is that what you told her? That’s brilliant! I guess I better buckle up!
I realize that it’s harder to control your dad in this situation. It’s sad and dangerous for everyone who is on the road around him.
The cop who flagged down your dad screwed up!
Oh my gosh, I don’t park in a handicap zone and I pull over immediately when I hear sirens. A person’s life depends upon getting them to the hospital in time.
I am sorry that you are dealing with this situation. It is frightening to think about your dad being hurt and him causing others to be hurt or worse, die!
The last time I said that when people hit a certain age they should be required to take a driving test I was accused of ageism! I don’t care what anyone accuses me of I still believe that people should be tested annually or maybe more frequently!
Does he have a PoA? If so, this person needs to be dealing with this. If he has no PoA then... good luck.
Take him for this test at the DMV sooner rather than later, and tell them about this report, asking that a driving test be done as well as written and eye exam.
Other than reporting your Dad to the DMV there is little that you can do.
My brother had a serious accident before he gave up the driving; happily only HE was seriously injured, and not others.