When is it no longer safe for an elderly person to drive?

THE question of how long an elderly driver should remain behind the wheel always makes for a difficult conversation among family members.

- JASON WOOSEY

Currently, there is no legal cutoff age for driving in South Africa, and it is estimated that more than three million people in this country are aged 65 or above.

By the age of 60, most people need substantially more light to see than did in their twenties.

Naturally, the question of how long they should continue to drive plagues many families.

While licence renewals every five years do provide a layer of protection, as they include an eye test, families need to be proactive about the situation, advises Michael Pashut, founder and CEO of ChangeCars.

This includes medical check-ins, realistic trip planning and open family conversations, while a reliable car with the appropriate technology can help immensely.

“Mobility is independence. Our goal as families and communities should be to help older drivers stay safe for as long as possible and to spot the moment when different transport choices are the wiser option,” Pashut said.