It’s only natural that as people begin to age their driving skills also begin to dwindle. Reduced eyesight, fatigue, slower reaction times, and more are all to blame. However, far too often, technology is seen as a blight in vehicles that makes roads more dangerous.
Technology is a double-edged sword that has many benefits older drivers can take advantage of though. Technology can assist older drivers with staying focused and even go so far as to reduce distractions on the road while also taking corrective action. Learn all the ways in which technology can be a safety net for you as you begin to age on the road.
Driver Assistance Systems: A Safety Net for Older Drivers
Considering that distracted driving is responsible for around 4,000 deaths on a yearly basis, learning how to be a safer driver should always be a top priority. Driver assistance systems can help with this goal as they can compensate for where your driving skills start to slip as you age and become distracted more easily. This technology features some of the following perks:
- Lane-Keeping Assist: This tool prevents drivers from drifting out of their lane and will auto-correct positioning
- Automatic Emergency Braking: This helps avoid accidents by automatically stopping the vehicle when a potential collision is detected and speed is not slowing
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Common in many vehicles nowadays, this tool allows drivers to detect vehicles in their blind spots
These systems can be especially beneficial for older drivers as it can reduce the need for constant manual adjustments. The safety features built within act as a literal safety net for small lapses in judgment that may be made on the road.
Hands-Free Technology: Staying Connected Without the Distraction
There is no reason to not be using technology hands-free in a vehicle built within the last decade. Voice-activated navigation systems and Bluetooth connectivity are widespread in vehicles, with many of these technologies having direct connections to smartphones as well. Whether you are trying to adjust your GPS route, take a phone call, listen to music, or anything else, hands-free technology has evolved to the point that it should become synonymous with driving.
The fact that driving not hands-free is illegal aside, older drivers in particular need to take advantage of this technology. Given that humans have slower reaction times as they age, taking your eyes off the road for even a second can have disastrous consequences. Rather than allowing this to happen, speak to your vehicle. Open up the owner’s manual of your car and truly study it in order to see what hands-free technology you have available to you.
In-Car Apps for Limiting Distractions
Nowadays, there are also various in-car apps that are designed to limit distractions for drivers. These include drive mode apps that automatically silence incoming notifications, text-to-speech figures that allow you to respond and listen to messages without looking at a phone, and parental control apps that limit usage while driving. All of these devices can be used to assist an older driver, or yourself, in staying focused as they manage potential distractions on the road.
As mentioned, driving skills begin to slip with age but by removing all distractions that are present in a vehicle you can reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Smart Vehicle Parking Assistance: Reducing Stress and Distractions
Saving what is perhaps the best for last, smart vehicle parking assistance is a relatively new technology that can have many benefits for older drivers. This technology makes use of tools such as rear-view cameras, parking sensors, and automatic parking systems to help park your vehicle, sometimes all autonomously. For drivers who feel stress and distractions when trying to park, this can be a remarkably helpful tool.
Parking assistance can prevent accidents and minimize the need for extra physical or mental effort when finding a spot. This makes the entire process safer and more efficient for everybody on the road.
The future of safe driving for older adults
From parking assistance to just removing general distractions in the car, modern technology is making the road a safer place for drivers all around the world. Older drivers should begin to incorporate as much of these new technologies as possible into their routines in order to stay safe on the road. Adopting these tools will lead to greater independence and peace of mind as you begin to age, thereby making you more comfortable staying behind the wheel for as long as possible.