my dads driving has gotten real bad .he is 85 and thinks nothing is wrong with his driving ,on top of refexes being slower he is speeding all the time and goes thur yellow lights alot,then guns it when light turns green ,i try to drive them places ,but he won't always let me drive,he is an retired truck driver,scares me and my mom with his driving ,has been pulled over latly for speeding ,but cops just give him warning,i don't want them traveling alone anymore have spent 2months this summer with them going to other states ,but as i said he won't let me drive alot only little bit ,and i feel he shouldn't be driving,what to do ?
You should research this site for all kinds of advice and peoples ecperinces with this issue.
I'm in a similar situation with my Dad. He's 85, has dementia and thinks his driving and everthing else is just fine. So far he hasn't gotten lost or so much as scratched the car but I agonise over taking the keys as he would physically confront me.
You, his doctor, or the cops can't send a repot you to the DMV requesting he be tested. Some states wil act on this, call him in for a test and yank his license if he fails. Other states are very lax. My Dads in WV and his Doc took me its a waste of time as he's submitted reports on several elderly patients to no avail.
If things get really scary and he won't cooperate, the nuclear option is to take the keys and/or disable the car. I'm prepared to do this with my Dad when the time comes. If he takes a swing at me I'll survive. That's much easier to get through than him killing someone on the highway. And btw, get any guns out of the house if you go nuclear!
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Colorado has any special programs addressing this problem with seniors or brain damaged adults. That is unfortunate.
Think about dad's alternative. How do you propose they get around? If you take that nuclear option Windy suggests, you have to temper it with a plan for them. I advocate that nuclear option, by the way.
Do they have taxi service where they live? Subsidized senior citizen riding program? A volunteer organization that provides transportation? Are you and or other family members prepared to give them two or three outings a week so they can call YOU or others for scheduled rides? Get a plan in place.
Then, if you really think he is a danger to himself or others, you do what you have to do to keep everyone safe and accept the fallout. Take the keys and disable the car. It's just part of the job.
I would first try contacting his doctor, DMV, etc., however, I would be careful with the insurance. If his insurance is cancelled and he continues to drive anyway, he could have a wreck and be uninsured, which is a terrible possibility. People with dementia may not heed a letter from the insurance company telling them their insurance has been cancelled. They may likely forget it or ignore it and keep driving. I would get the license taken, plates and car turned in, before I put the insurance in jeopardy.