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Time to Hand Over the Car Keys
Aug 07 2008 by Courtney Messenbaugh
8/7/08
It’s a Tough Subject to Broach, But Worth It
It’s a moment nearly everyone dreads: taking the car keys away from an aging parent or grandparent.
But leave it to “South Park” to turn a stressful situation into something funny. In the only “South Park” episode I’ve ever seen, the town’s senior citizens were creating havoc with their poor driving skills. The good people of South Park took the old folks’ driver’s licenses away, and the AARP parachuted in like vigilantes to save the seniors and their licenses. It was hilarious.
In a case of life not imitating art, AARP recently released a list detailing when it’s time for older drivers to stop driving. Of course, this proves that “South Park’s” portrayal was wrong — the AARP does, in fact, recognize that sometimes it’s better if an older person stays off the road. Elinor Ginzler, AARP’s director of livable communities, says we should talk openly with our loved ones about safe (and, in the case of some elders, unsafe) driving practices. I, for one, don’t want Granny and Gramps driving my children around once age begins to affect their driving abilities, so I was happy to find this list.
According to AARP, the top 10 signs that it’s time for someone to hand over the keys are:
1. Frequent “close calls” (i.e. near accidents)
2. Dents, scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs, etc.
3. Trouble judging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps
4. Other drivers honking at you
5. Getting lost
6. Difficulty seeing the sides of the road when looking straight ahead
7. Slower response time; trouble moving foot from gas pedal to brake pedal or confusing the two pedals
8. Getting distracted easily or having trouble concentrating
9. Difficulty turning your head to check over your shoulder while backing up or changing lanes
10. Traffic tickets or warnings by traffic or law enforcement officers in the last year or two
Have you ever had any concerns about Granny or Gramps driving your kids around? Are you thinking about taking someone’s keys away? It’s a tough subject to broach, but well worth it. There’s no sense endangering your children’s or anyone else’s lives.
My husband and I had to take his grandmother’s keys and car away two years ago, and it wasn’t a moment too soon. She drove into something daily, and could only explain it by saying, with her thick Austrian accent, “Ze car vent rooch!” We still don’t know what that means.
I must say, however, that when I was pregnant, I couldn’t really turn my head to check over my shoulder, leaving me guilty of No. 9. Does this mean that someone is going to take my keys away soon? I hope not, because I’m pretty certain AARP won’t parachute in to save me.
User Comments
What a tough subject. If your grandparents are anything like mine, they are very stubborn about their independence and still (in their 70’s) think they need to take care of everyone else instead of the other way around. Fortunately they are all healthy, but there are a couple of items on the list above I have certainly noticed.
Kitty -
Don’t worry. We’re not making Courtney work while she’s still in the hospital (she wrote this article last week before Miss Francie Edge arrived) 
This is something that really sucks for anyone to have to do.
My Mom was always a good driver until she passed, but she passed young (only 66!).
Thanks for sharing
. I’m surprised you had time to write this with the baby fresh out of ya!