Impact of Ageing

Whether we are the driver of a motor vehicle, a passenger, a pedestrian, or the user of some other form of transportation, inevitably age brings about changes that impact on our ability to undertake these activities. Some of the many age related changes that can impact on us include:

• Deteriorating Eyesight.
• Deteriorating Hearing.
• Reduced Physical Strength and Flexibility.
• The Onset of Age-related Diseases such as Arthritis.
• Changes in our Thinking and Perceiving of Events (e.g. our reaction time slows).
• The Side Effects of taking Medications.

Let’s have a closer look at each of these:

Deteriorating Eyesight

Most of us experience some deterioration of our eyesight as we grow older. The older we are, the more likely we are to be wearing glasses for reading, or for long distances. Some of us experience cataracts or other physical eye damage. Other effects are much more subtle and we are more likely to underestimate the impacts on our road safety. Even when our vision is good there are age-related changes that can impact on our safety as road users. The table below lists the major eyesight problems, their possible impact and some tips for overcoming.

 

Condition	Effect	Tip
Farsightedness	Makes it more difficult to concentrate and can increase fatigue and headaches.	Ensure that your prescription is up-to-date. Wear glasses when necessary, but if they are only for reading, then take them off at least 10 minutes prior to driving or going out (walking, catching a bus) to allow your eyes time to readjust.
Nearsightedness	Makes it difficult to distinguish road signs, gauge oncoming traffic and perceive vehicles movements.	Most nearsighted people should be wearing prescription glasses while driving. Ensure that your prescription is up-to-date.
Reduced Contrast Sensitivity	Can impede our ability to see road dividers, some painted road signs, in shady areas, at dusk or at night.	Be extra careful about looking for on-road signs and directions. Be aware of the likely impact of reduced light conditions or rain.
Bright Light Sensitivity	Glare is a problem for all drivers, but if our eyes become more sensitive to bright lights, then we are more likely to be blinded by the headlights of other vehicles or glare.	Good quality sunglasses can help with glare, but ensure that they do not impair your sight in darker areas. If you have prescription glasses, then consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist about suitable glare reduction.
Decreased Peripheral Vision (Tunnel Vision)	Makes it harder to see vehicles or movement towards our left or right.	This can be a serious problem, so consult a professional for help. If you have some Decreased Peripheral Vision, ensure that you deliberately look to the left and right as a driver at an intersection or roundabout. As a pedestrian, remember to check both left and right before crossing the road. If you are unsure about your peripheral vision, try the quick test here.
Cataracts	Results in blurring of your vision making it harder to see traffic and to predict the speeds of on-coming vehicles.	This can be a serious problem and, if not treated, can potentially result in loss of vision altogether. Seek help from a professional and take their advice about driving and walking.

 

Deteriorating Hearing

Our hearing declines from about the age of 25 and can be particularly tricky to observe, as the decline tends to creep up on us.

As Driver’s, Riders or Cyclists we may find that:

• We don’t hear other vehicles.
• We don’t hear emergency vehicles until they are upon us.
• It is more difficult to discern in which direction screeching tyres, or horns are sounding.

Loud talking by others may distract us more than when we were younger. We may find that we need to concentrate more on grandchildren, the radio or others to hear what is being said and as a result our attention is drawn away from traffic.

As Pedestrians we may find that:

• Loud talking may distract us.
• It’s harder to hear approaching traffic, especially if it is behind us.
• Bicycles and others coming from behind may surprise us.
• It’s harder to hear warnings such as the pings coming from traffic lights.

Obviously if we have any concerns about our hearing, we need to have it checked, and if we know that it has deteriorated, then adjust for that by looking more carefully and listening more intently for traffic noises. If you have a hearing aid, then ensure that it is switched on when driving or walking – you need to be able to hear the traffic.

Physical Changes and Diseases

As we age we lose some muscle and bone mass. We also tend to lose some of our flexibility and agility. The fluids in our inner ear thicken which can lead to a diminished sense of balance. If this is not enough, we are also more likely to experience age-related diseases such as arthritis. Physical agility can impact on us as drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and riders.

As drivers:

• Reduced physical strength and flexibility can make it difficult to respond quickly to emergency situations.
• Arthritis can limit our range of movements interfering with turning our heads to check traffic, braking and changing gears.
• When driving, we unconsciously get feedback from the car through the seat and steering wheel helping us to judge cornering speeds and other movements. A reduced sense of balance can interfere with this feedback making it harder for us.

As pedestrians:

• A reduced sense of balance can make us less sure of our footing and therefore slow our response to traffic.
• Physical strength and flexibility changes can make it more difficult to get out of the way of fast moving vehicles.
• Many older people take longer to cross the road.

The best cure for physical changes is a good diet and moderate exercise. Exercise increases muscle tone and strengthens bones. A healthy lifestyle can not only contribute to our overall health but also make us safer road users.

Changes to our Thinking and Perception

We know that as we age our thinking and perception changes. Some of the changes may include:

• Reduced reaction times.
• Reduction in our ability to judge the speed and distance of moving objects.
• A tendency to find it harder to remain focused for long periods.
• Reduced ability to respond quickly to complex situations with many things happening at once.

As drivers, riders and cyclists this can mean that:

• We can misjudge the time available for turning across traffic (right hand turns).
• Complex traffic situations can be confusing, especially at higher speeds.
• We tire more easily – especially on longer journeys.
• We can find tight corners and some roundabouts hard to navigate.

As pedestrians:

• We can misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic and step out when we don’t have enough time to cross the road.
• Become confused with complex traffic situations at crossings and lights.
• Find the lights flashing red “Don’t Walk” at us before we have completed much more than half the crossing.

It’s important to make allowances for thinking and perception changes. Allow extra time for turning.

Avoid complex and confusing traffic situations; even if that means sometimes taking a longer route. When you are walking, allow extra distance between you and any oncoming traffic. There is also significant evidence that we can keep our minds sharp by engaging in mental activity. Study, puzzles or any activity that causes us to think through problems and tasks can be beneficial.

The Impact of Medications

As we age, we are more likely to be taking medications. Some surveys suggest that over 70% of people aged 50 and over are on one (1) or more medications. Medication includes prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies and some natural therapies.

Not only do we need to consider the obvious impact of any given medication, but also the possible interactions of medications.

Medications can:

• Impact on Reflexes and reaction times.
• Cause drowsiness.
• Affect eyesight.
• Reduce muscle strength.

The impact of medications is often more complex than we realise and understanding the issues is important, even if you do not think you are currently on any medications. Review the section on medications for more details.