We can’t help service your vehicle if you aren’t safe on the roads. Many of our clients are aging drivers, worried about how they can stay safer on the roads and still be independent enough to drive themselves around town without causing danger to themselves or others. There are plenty of things senior drivers can to and Healthy Aging Awareness Month is the perfect time to learn and increase your awareness on this topic. Driving not only impacts those in one vehicle but others on the road too. But promoting safer senior drivers, we all stay safer on the roads and our auto repair shop in Tempe would like to see our customers return for preventative vehicle maintenance rather than serious accident repairs.

According to the CDC, the elderly is one of the age groups most at risk for accidents on our roads behind teens. On their website, they state that there were 33 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States. Safe driving knowledge and education helps older adults stay mobile and independent. But again, the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as you age. An average of 500 older adults are injured every day in automotive crashes. Thankfully, there are steps that older adults can take to stay safer on the roads. Some of the senior driving tips from automotive experts include:

• Planning your route before you drive.
• Leave a large following distance behind the car in front you.
• Avoid distractions such as listening to loud music, talking or texting while driving, or eating.
• Finding the safest route with well-lit streets, intersections with left turn arrows, and easy parking.
• Exercise to increase flexibility and strength.
• Asking your doctor or pharmacist to review medicines–both prescription and over-the counter–to reduce side effects and interactions.
• Wear glasses and corrective lenses as required. Vision tests are important!
• Drive when there is daylight and during good weather. Avoid sandstorms.
• Considering potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend or using public transportation.

Planning out your preventative maintenance can also help keep your vehicle safer too. Older adults tend to forget about routine maintenance by auto repair shops. Our services are affordable and we are honest – we also offer a service interval schedule for routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, brake services, and more,  so remembering is easy and so is keeping your vehicle safer on the road!