Driving Safely

"Statistics show that older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections." smartmotorist.com

Statistics do show that as we age our driving skills decline.  Even before his diagnosis with dementia, my spouse had several accidents in the last decade; and, yet, remarkably, he still believes that he should be able to drive.  Having dementia is one preclusion for driving, but even getting older - without cognitive disabilities - puts us at risk.  I was listening to Click and Clack, the program on NPR about cars, mechanics and driving.  They told of the way one should set one's side rear view mirrors in order to prevent blind spots.  Instead of the usual way of sitting upright behind the wheel and setting the rear view mirrors to catch just the back end of the car, they said one should lean their head on to the left side window and from that position to set the left mirror so that just the end of the back of the car shows.  In this position, one can see into the blind spot on the left side.  For the right mirror, one does the same thing by leaning to the right.  I have tried this and it really works.  The minute a vehicle - which is passing you - disappears from the main rear view mirror, it pops up on the side rear view mirror.  It is quite remarkable.  I suggest you try it.   We who are older drivers benefit from implementing ways that can help us drive safely.