Ask the doctor: Safe driving and aging

Reaction time declines with age, and there is no simple way to determine if yours is adequate for safe driving. But one possible warning sign is a history of falls. Several studies have shown that someone who has fallen in the past year is more likely to be in a motor vehicle accident. Being diagnosed with cognitive impairment—a decline in memory and mental skills that affects your daily life—is also an important reason to avoid driving. Individuals with cognitive impairment have slower reaction times and may become confused in fast-changing situations.
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