Keeping Us Safe

Continuing Education for Professionals

2010-12-02T18:27:00.005-05:00

Click here to learn more about our on-line Continuing Education program for professionals (Beyond Driving with Dignity), as offered by the Society of Certified Senior Advisor. There is no charge for CSA members, $49 for non-members. The first session is scheduled for December 8, 2010.

"Beyond Driving with Dignity"

2010-12-02T18:13:00.004-05:00

Cick HERE to read more about our "Beyond Driving with Dignity" program as posted by Lifelines Academy (Tampa, Florida).

Preparing Your Personal Injury Claim

2010-11-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

After a car accident in Los Angeles you could be facing a number of difficult challenges. Constant phone calls from an insurance adjuster, medical treatments and juggling work and family life is no easy task. Staying focused during this difficult time is important. You need to prepare your personal injury claim now to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

The first thing you should be aware of is that the insurance adjuster is not your friend. An adjuster works for the insurance company to settle your claim for as little money as possible. Every dollar an insurance adjuster saves on your claim is another dollar of profit for shareholders. To receive a fair settlement from an insurance adjuster you will need skill in to areas: preparation and negotiation.

Preparation is important to any personal injury case. You would not take a trip to Europe without planning all the details. A personal injury claim is no different in this regard. Start the preparation of your case by answering the following questions:

What is the strength (evidence) of your claim? The strength of your case will be the evidence you provide. Prepare statements of witnesses, police records, photos, documentations of your losses and so on.

What are similar claims generally resolved for? Go to your local law library and find similar cases. Don't be afraid to reference these cases when negotiating.

What is your settlement goal? This number should be the ideal amount you would like to walk away with. Keep it within reason.

What is your settlement bottom line? Define the lowest amount you will settle your case for. Make sure this will pay for all of your expenses, pain and suffering, as well as future expenses that will be incurred from your accident.

What alternatives do you have if you don't settle?

Before you begin your personal injury claim, it is important that you consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. The best personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles will offer free consultations to all injured accident victims.

Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers

2010-10-27T12:42:00.004-04:00

Beyond Driving with Dignity;
The workbook for the families of older drivers

Do you think your older loved-one may be experiencing diminishing driving skills due to the aging process? Are they becoming lost in familiar places, bumping into curbs, mailboxes, or scraping the sides of the garage when they back out? Have they been involved in a minor parking lot fender-bender or do they complain about being honked at? Do they seem easily confused or more forgetful when you talk with them on the phone?

If so, don’t panic; you’re certainly not alone. The most important thing to remember is that the time to start addressing your concerns is now, before “concerns” turn into “tragedies”.

To help you do that, Keeping Us Safe has released its long awaited workbook titled “Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers”. The workbook employs a very user-friendly, uncomplicated method and is designed to be used in the comfort and confidence of the family’s home.

“Beyond Driving with Dignity” was written to help families (or professionals working with families) by providing them with a “roadmap to success” in their quest to overcome the challenges of an older driver’s safety.

If driving restrictions or even a complete retirement from driving are deemed appropriate, the “Limit Driving, Not Living” chapter of the workbook helps the family identify and implement alternative means of transportation for the retiring driver.

To learn more about how the workbook can help your family or client, please visit Keeping Us Safe or call us toll-free at 877-907-8841.

Matt Gurwell
Founder & CEO
Keeping Us Safe

Clergy and the Older Driver

2010-05-22T20:47:00.011-04:00

This week, Keeping Us Safe unveiled a new program titled "Clergy and the Older Driver". The program was sponsored by the Benjamin Rose Institute and received a very positive response from those in attendance. The seminar was designed for all denominations and for all religions.

This unique 2-hour workshop was developed in response to inquiries from the religious community to provide them with additional tools and a roadmap for how to more appropriately address the complex and sensitive issues surrounding the safety of older drivers.

As many can attest, the power of spirituality can play a vital role in helping older adults in their quest to make successful life transitions as a direct result of the aging process. As well, the role of the clergy can be paramount in helping the older driver make a smooth transition from the driver's seat to the passenger seat.

Topics addressed in the workshop include:

• Identifying areas of concern involving older drivers

• Keeping older drivers safe by assisting in the development of attainable lifestyle changes (as needed)

• Early intervention tools for identifying signs of decline in an older driver's
skills

• Understanding methods to intercede or to provide appropriate direction to concerned family members

• Ensure that the self-worth and personal independence of the older driver is never un-necessarily placed in jeopardy

• Introduction to a comprehensive list of low and no-cost resources, available not only to members of the clergy, but also to the older driver and their respective families.

In addition to the outstanding accommodations and refreshments provided by the Benjamin Rose Institute, the morning also served as an excellent fellowship and networking event.

The valuable partnership that exists between clergy professionals and Keeping Us Safe is critical in helping to keep older drivers, safe drivers. By continuing to develop this partnership, we can help make our communities safer places to live, work and recreate for everyone!

If you would like to learn more about this exciting program, or how to have it brought to your area, please visit the Keeping Us Safe website, or call us toll-free at 877-907-8841.

Matt Gurwell
Founder & CEO
Keeping Us Safe

877-907-8841
www.keepingussafe.org
info@keepingussafe.org
Twitter: @keepingussafe

The Scorpion and the Frog

2010-04-06T18:20:00.008-04:00

I recently received a call from a gentleman who makes his home in Iowa. He explained that his father, who lives in a quaint southern costal town, recently became confused while pulling into a parking lot, and ended up accelerating into the front window of a family restaurant during the Sunday morning rush.

Seven people were transported directly from their breakfast table to local hospitals for treatment. The 79 year old driver, nor his 83 year old wife were injured.

The son was asking me to meet with his father for one of our "Enhanced Self-Assessments", designed specifically for older drivers. He stated that his father has reluctantly agreed to participate in the program.

In an attempt to keep a long story short, the father was very irritated that someone was challenging his ability to drive safely. He did his best to explain how the accident was not his fault, and that rather it was the fault of the aged soles of his Sunday shoes. He further to explain that the only reason anyone went to the hospital was because "they saw dollar signs".

The disturbed father ended the self-assessment prematurely, and kindly asked me to navigate my way back to Cleveland.

I was very disappointed that no progress had been made in my attempt to help keep this well-educated gentleman, his wife, restaurant patrons everywhere, and the motoring public in general, safe. Fortunately, this gentleman is NOT representative of the Greatest Generation. He is the exception, not the norm.

The father was not at all bothered when it was suggested to him that someone could well have been killed in this incident, and that he may be at a higher risk than others for a similar incident to happen in the future. He simply re-iterated that those that went to the hospital were not injured at all, and they were only acting for the purposes of a future lawsuit against him. He further explained that "everyone's allowed to have an accident or two".

It was very clear that this gentleman would never retire from driving, regardless of the consequences and the risk he was posing to others.

I'm reminded of the parable of the "Scorpion and the Frog":

Once upon a time a scorpion wanted to cross a brook. On the bank he saw a frog and asked if the frog would give him a ride to the other side.

"Oh no," says the frog, "If I carry you on my back you will sting me."

"But why would I sting you when we would both surely perish," replied the scorpion.

The frog eventually conceded that the scorpion had a point, and agreed to the request.

Half way across, the scorpion stung the frog, and they both began to drown.

"But why did you break your word and sting me, knowing it would be certain death for us both?" cried the frog.

"Because it is in my nature." said the scorpion.

~author unknown

It is unfortunate that both the elderly driver and the scorpion live in complete disregard for the safety and well-being not only of themselves, but also of others. Both know or knew that their actions were going to lead to their own death and likely the death of others, but neither cared.

The scorpion has already demonstrated it.

So has this older driver.

Free E-Newsletter

2010-04-05T10:11:00.002-04:00

Sign up for our free newsletter by visiting www.keepingussafe.org.

The newsletter provides helpful tips for families and professionals as they work to keep older drivers safe.

Large Print Books and the Older Driver

2010-02-15T10:20:00.003-05:00

Much has been said and written about the relationship between denial, and an older driver's diminishing driving skills. Denial is oftentimes a natural reaction that can occur when we receive "less than good news", and denial may be a contributing factor in helping an older driver transition from the driver's seat to the passenger seat.

After completing our "A Safe Drive Through the Aging Process" presentation to a group of senior drivers in a small-town library outside of Cleveland, Ohio, I had occasion to meet with Marianne Lohrman, of the Chardon Public Library's Adult Services Department.

After listening to the presentation, Marianne told me how there are times when an elderly library patron will pass on checking-out a particular book, if it is only available in large print. Marianne explained that the elderly perceives the large print books as a stigma, or even an insult, and will not check the book out for just that reason.

I found Marianne's insight most interesting, and we could both see the parallels between her story, and the denial some drivers face when challenged with the issue of driving cessation.

I asked Marianne if she would mind putting her comments onto paper. She obliged, and her is what she wrote:

"As the large print selector for our library system, I've become aware of the fact that often our younger patrons appreciate the increased contrast as well as text size in large print books yet the eldest of our senior population are often resistant to large print.

When my own mother had difficulty reading regular print books, I suggested that she try large print. She resisted for a couple of years saying, "I'm not THAT old!" (though she was in her 80's). When she finally tried large print, she realized that the darker print, clearer and larger font, and greater contrast made her reading experience more enjoyable. "Now I understand why I've been reading less. The lower-contrast books made my eyes work harder," Mom said.

It's been my experience, as well as the experience of many of my library colleagues, that people between the ages of 12-70 most often do not see reading large print books as a sign of 'disability' or 'agedness.' They find that large print materials are easier to read in low light and provide a rest for their eyes if they work using computer screens much of the day.

However, many patrons over the age of 70 quite often regard large print books as having a stigma."

Marianne's observations are very powerful. Just as some might perceive that there is a "stigma" with using large-print books from the library, some older adults may also perceive a similar "stigma" with a retirement from driving.

Thank you Marianne, for showing us a parallel between large print books, and driving retirement.

Giving Up the Keys – Who Should Do the Talking? “NOT IT!”

2010-02-05T09:12:00.005-05:00

(Part 2 of a 5 part series discussing the delicate issue of asking an elderly parent to retire from their driving career)

In our previous article “Talking Sex and Talking Driving” we discussed six possible reasons why emotions and perceptions may play a role in distorting a family’s evaluation of driving abilities, however unintentional that distortion may be.

Today we will briefly discuss “who” should start the conversations with a loved one about a possible retirement from what was probably a long and successful driving career.

As we know, all family make ups are different and each family structure comes with its own, unique intricacies. Therefore, no two situations are ever the same. Fortunately certain studies have uncovered some common trends which are discussed below. But first let me say that how and when the family approaches this delicate issue can make all the difference in the world as to how it is received by the elderly driver.

Spouse: Men prefer to hear the information from their spouse slightly more than women do. The nice thing about having a spouse initiate the conversation is that 1) the spouse has more than likely personally observed poor driving, and 2) a spouse has experience in working through delicate and sensitive issues with his/her loved one.

Adult Child: For many reasons, hearing such news from an adult child works best when the adult child also happens to live nearby.

Doctor: The good news is that seniors are usually open to the opinions of their doctor, the bad news is that not all doctors agree that they are the best source for making driving-related decisions. Do you know of a time when a doctor didn’t even want to get involved with an older patient about driving-related issues?

Police Officer: More than anyone, older drivers do not want to have a driving-related conversation from the police, even if it is on a friendly basis. That’s not hard for most of us to understand.

There is a whole myriad of other individuals and professionals that can be used in the conversations. In our “Driving Intervention 101” program we also discuss the role these other individuals should play.

It should also be noted that this conversation with an older driver should not be one specific “event”. Rather it should be several little conversations over time. This approach will not only make the entire process more effective, but will also help protect the dignity and self-respect of your loved one.

Again, this article is meant to serve as a very basic introduction to the issue of driving conversations. In reality, there is a whole science dedicated to the topic and we have programs that can help you better prepare for these types of talks. However, in the absence of all other resources, if you simply remember to be guided by the following statement your conversations should prove successful:

“After driving safety, helping the individual maintain his or her dignity should be the #1 concern!”

To learn more about our unique and innovative programs and how we can help YOU, please visit Keeping Us Safe at www.keepingussafe.org or call us toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. at 877-907-8841.

In this article we discussed who should be involved in family discussions related to an elderly loved-ones driving.

In part 3 of this 5 part series, we are going to look beyond the obvious at why senior drivers are often reluctant to give up their driving (even when they know it’s the right thing to do) in an article titled “But I Can’t Give Up My Driving”.

The Enhanced Self-Assessment Program for Senior Drivers

2010-01-09T10:13:00.004-05:00

Keeping Us Safe has developed the "Enhanced Self-Assessment Program" for senior drivers.

This individualized program has been designed to serve as a valuable tool in helping older drivers (and their families) make appropriate decisions regarding the future of ones safe driving career.

If the individual is a safe driver, we provide him or her with strategies on how to remain a safe driver as they progress through the aging process.

If driving retirement is the appropriate decision, then we provide the individual (and their family) with acceptable alternatives, resources and a very specific plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition from the drivers seat to the passenger seat.

Visit our website to learn more!

Crunch Time: When do I turn over the keys?

2010-01-07T09:46:00.005-05:00

"Knowing when to turn over the car keys is an extremely difficult decision to make. Just thinking about making that change can be overwhelming, and many seniors are frightened at the thought of losing that freedom. I use my car to run errands, go shopping, visit friends, attend church, or just to enjoy a ride. But when safety is at stake, I need to be honest with myself and ask...am I ready to retire the keys?"

The above quote is an excerpt taken from Everett Hammond's book titled "Hammond's Ride Guide". Mr. Hammond (an octogenarian, as he would say) is a personal friend of mine and currently resides in the Chicago area. The subtitle of his book is "Seniors Transportation Solutions". The book is also loaded with great resource information.

I encourage you to visit his website today to see if this book may be of value to you.

Mr. Hammond served in the combat infantry in the European Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945 and received three major combat battle stars on behalf of his country.

Thank you Mr. Hammond for the excellent book, and thank you most of all for your service to our country!

Driving Conversations with the Older Driver

2010-01-03T15:18:00.004-05:00

According to a recent Liberty Mutual survey, the majority of baby boomers (75%) have never initiated a conversation about driving with their aging parents out of concern for their reaction.

The boomers said they feared that raising the issue would make their parents feel:

uncomfortable (58%)
angry (38%)
embarrassed (30%)
or disrespected (12%)

Our group presentation titled "Adults with Aging Parent Drivers" addresses this very issue, and provides you with a roadmap for facilitating these types of conversations.

From the Sex Talk to the Driving Talk

2009-10-25T16:46:00.002-04:00

(Part 1 of a 5 part series discussing the delicate issue of asking an elderly parent to retire from their driving career)

Remember that day way-back-when that you finally mustered up the strength to sit your adolescent son or daughter down on the living room’s couch, and begin the dreadful process of explaining the birds and bees? Don’t you still wonder what you even said, and what it must have sounded like? Now…do you want the good news or the bad news first?

The good news is that despite your seemingly irrational rambling during “the talk”, it proved successful, despite the fact that your child probably giggled their way through the entire conversation.

The bad news…round two is here and it comes with the same un-pleasantries from the sex talk, and may even be reminiscent of the first time you had a tooth pulled. Asking a senior driver, your mother or father to consider retiring from a long and successful driving career is guaranteed to be a very sensitive, emotional, and uncomfortable conversation. For everyone involved!

As discussed in Keeping Us Safe’s “Senior Driver Intervention 101” program, family members may sometimes be motivated, either consciously or unconsciously to overlook an elderly loved-ones driving abilities. Some reasons for this skewed perception may include:

1. Not wanting to face the fact that a loved ones disease is getting worse or that the aging process is beginning to take its toll.

2. You may delay having these conversations because you want to avoid confrontation or presenting a challenge your parent’s authority.

3. You are already overloaded with responsibilities and are concerned that you will be forced to take on more.

4. You are afraid that you will offend or insult the elderly driver.

5. You are guilt-ridden at the thought of depriving a loved one of their driving independence.

6. For many other reasons, you may also experience feelings of frustration.

Clearly the above list helps illustrate the point that emotions and perceptions may play a role in distorting a family’s evaluation of driving abilities, however unintentional that distortion may be.

Sooner or later, this topic will come up on almost every family’s “Top 10 List” of delicate family issues. To complicate matters, this sensitive issue not only involves the possibility of restricting the independence of a loved one, but also deals with the ever critical issue of highway safety.

Put another way…a family’s way of handling (or not handling) this matter could ultimately mean the difference between life and death, not only for your loved one, but also for an innocent motorist.

Keeping Us Safe has developed a program designed to un-complicate some of the complexities of this issue. The “Enhanced Self-Assessment Program” was designed specifically for elderly drivers and provides an objective, professional, third-party approach in assisting the senior driver and/or his or her respective family in making decisions about the individual’s driving future.

If it is determined that the best course of action involves restricting certain driving habits, or even a complete retirement from ones driving career, the program will assist the individual and his or her family in finding acceptable transportation alternatives with a goal of maintaining the individual’s independence, and most importantly maintaining the dignity and personal pride of your loved one.

To learn more about this unique and innovative program and how we can help YOU, please visit Keeping Us Safe at http://www.keepingussafe.org or call us toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. at 877-907-8841.

In this article we discussed some reasons why a family’s perception of the problem may not be a completely accurate assessment.

In part 2 of this 5 part series, we will be discussing the topic of “who” should actually do the talking in an article aptly titled “Not It!”.

Extending Your Safe Driving Career

2009-10-02T17:04:00.020-04:00

With each passing year, each of us knows that the day is coming when we will lose some of our personal independence. Driving an automobile is one of the most important privileges of being an independent adult. And it is a privilege most of never want to give up.

Weighing the factors about whether it is time to retire from your driving career can be an extremely complex task. However, from the simplest of perspectives, the key to extending one’s safe driving career can be summed up in just two words; self awareness. Each of us must have the self-awareness to recognize any personal physical or mental deterioration that might affect our ability to drive safely.

Although hanging up the car keys is rarely simple or easy, I believe that self-awareness is the foundation for keeping us safe drivers for as long as possible, as we progress through the aging process.

Physiological functions such as vision and hearing, reflexes, memory, agility, muscle and bone strength, are obviously very important in our ability to remain safe drivers. Many of these functions naturally diminish as we get older. Changes can also be aggravated by medications, depression, and even loneliness.

We also need to remember that accidents are more likely to cause serious or fatal injury an older person, regardless of who is at fault. In two-car fatal collisions, where one driver is 70 or older, the older driver is 3.5 times more likely to be killed. Injuries that are seen as moderate to severe for most people are often fatal to people aged 70 and older.

The key to maintaining your self-awareness is to be very cognizant and alert to what others are saying to you. Your doctor, clergy member, an occupational therapist, a driving assessor, your spouse, children and other relatives, friends or even a trusted neighbor are all great sources of information.

By being receptive and listening to what these people are gently trying to tell you, you can avoid having a future discussion with the police, a tow-truck driver, your insurance agent, emergency room physicians, your attorney and the court system, the news media, or someone else’s grieving family.

As Founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe, I work with older drivers every day to help them determine whether they are still safe drivers. Please visit our website at www.keepingussafe.org or call (toll-free) 877-907-8841 to learn more about our "Enhanced Self-Assessment Program" which was designed specifically for senior drivers, or to schedule a presentation for your group, business, or organization.

Driving After a Stroke

2009-04-19T12:46:00.005-04:00

DRIVING AFTER A STROKE

Following is an article authored by Jillian Dworak, an Occupational Therapist from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In it, Ms. Dworak outlines the Driver Rehabilitation program for the R.I.C.. Please note that generally speaking, her summary also falls in-line with other driver rehabilitation programs throughout the United States.

A stroke can affect your strength, your coordination, or your ability to use or move different body parts. It can also affect your thinking skills such as memory, concentration, or ability to make safe judgments and problem solve. In some instances, it may even affect your vision (double vision, blurry vision or the inability to see out of the corners of your eyes).

Due to these impairments, you may:
- Have trouble using the gas and brake pedals with your right foot.
- Have difficulty turning the steering wheel.
- Become easily frustrated or confused when driving.
- Not remember the location of familiar places.
- Have difficulty seeing or being aware of traffic around you.

Can I still drive after a stroke?
Most stroke survivors can return to independent and safe driving. As part of the rehabilitation process, it is important to discuss with your physician and other health care professionals your goals for returning to driving. Depending on the severity of the stroke, your doctor may refer you to a driver rehabilitation program.

What is a driver rehabilitation program?
A driver rehabilitation program provides a comprehensive driving evaluation which includes both clinical and Behind the Wheel (BTW) components. A driver rehabilitation specialist assesses your ability to return to safe driving and recommends the use of specific equipment if necessary.

In order to be seen in a driver rehabilitation program you will need a referral from your doctor, a valid driver's license (or permit) and payment.

During the clinical evaluation, an occupational therapist talks with you about your medical history, current condition and your goals for returning to driving. The therapist evaluates your vision, thinking skills, and overall strength, movement and coordination. You may also be asked questions about your driving history and tested on your driving knowledge. If you need any special equipment for driving, it may also be introduced to you at this time. The clinical evaluation usually takes about one hour.

The Behind the Wheel evaluation consists of driving in a vehicle with a driving instructor in different types of traffic and driving situations. Adaptive equipment may also be introduced to you at this time. Certain types of driving equipment such as hand controls or left foot accelerators will require additional training sessions after your evaluation. The BTW evaluation takes about two hours.

What happens after the evaluation?
After the evaluation, results as well as any recommendations are given to both you and your doctor. These results will allow you and your doctor to decide whether driving is a feasible option at that time.
Although everyone is eager to return to driving, it is important to deal with driving at the most appropriate time in the healing process. We often encourage patients to wait until they are at their highest level of functioning (physically, mentally and emotionally) before addressing driving. Your doctor and your health care team can help you decide when this time might be.

Does insurance cover the driving evaluation?
Most insurance providers including private insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid will cover the clinical evaluation but will not cover any of the BTW cost, additional training, or equipment. Ask your health care team or call a driver rehabilitation program in regards to possible additional sources of funding.

Please feel free to contact Keeping Us Safe (http://www.keepingussafe.org/) toll-free at 1-877-907-8841 for a listing of driver rehabilitation services available in your area.

Properly Adjust Your Vehicle Headrest

2009-04-08T13:45:00.017-04:00

Few driver safety topics can be more exciting to read about than the topic of vehicle headrests (well...maybe not). Like seatbelts and airbags, headrests are a very valuable tool in helping to maintain your driving safety, and therefore they are more than worthy of discussion.

The following information was taken from an article in the American International Automobile Dealer's Association, and is very relevant to the topic of driver safety:

Most people understand how to properly use automobile safety devices like seat belts, airbags and car seats, but statistics suggest the majority of drivers are clueless when it comes to the proper positioning of headrests.

In fact, studies show that 90 percent of drivers have their headrests adjusted too low. "Headrests can go a long way toward reducing neck injuries in the event of a rear-end collision," notes Buzz Rodland, Chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association. "But they're only effective when positioned correctly relative to the driver's head."

According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a correctly positioned headrest should meet the following criteria:

1) Headrests should ideally be positioned two inches or less from the rear of the driver's head, and never more than four inches.

2) When adjusting for height, the bulk of the headrest should stand directly behind the driver's head, at ears level. In the event of whiplash, the headrest should contact your head first, not the neck.

Over the past several years there has been marked improvement in overall standards. "Automakers are doing a much better job of designing safe headrests, but it's still very important that motorists take the time to manually adjust them," said Rodland. "Far too many people are driving with headrests in the lowest possible position, and as a result, they aren't getting any of the safety benefits."

What Are "Adaptive Headlight Systems"?

2009-02-05T10:59:00.013-05:00

What Are "Adaptive Headlight Systems"?

You're driving home from a weekend vacation. It's late at night, and the winding two-lane road has no streetlights. You approach a curve at 40 mph -- slow enough to make the turn, but too fast to stop suddenly if you need to. What's waiting there, just beyond the range of your headlights? A stalled car? A deer?

Adaptive headlights give a better view of the road around curves and bends during nighttime driving. With adaptive headlights, there's no guessing game. The lights turn their beams around each bend in the road, giving you a better view of what's ahead.

Standard headlights shine straight ahead, no matter what direction the car is moving. When going around curves, they illuminate the side of the road more than the road itself. Adaptive headlights react to the steering, speed and elevation of the car and automatically adjust to illuminate the road ahead. When the car turns right, the headlights angle to the right. Turn the car left, the headlights angle to the left. This is important not only for the driver of the car with adaptive headlights, but for other drivers on the road as well. The glare of oncoming headlights can cause serious visibility problems. Since adaptive headlights are directed at the road, the incidence of glare is reduced.

A car with adaptive headlights uses electronic sensors to detect the speed of the car, how far the driver has turned the steering wheel, and the yaw of the car. Yaw is the rotation of the car around the vertical axis -- when a car is spinning, for example, its yaw is changing. The sensors direct small electric motors built into the headlight casing to turn the headlights. A typical adaptive headlight can turn the lights up to 15 degrees from center, giving them a 30-degree range of movement.

If 15 degrees of sideward movement isn't enough, such as during low-speed turning in a parking lot or for especially sharp curves, additional lighting can supplement the headlights. Some models are equipped with cornering lights.

If the car has fog lights, small reflectors swivel to direct the fog lights off to the side. In the absence of fog lights, an additional side-directed lamp is installed with the headlights. When the car is moving slower than 25 mph (40 km/hour) and turning, the cornering lights can illuminate up to 80 degrees of additional area to the side of the car. When the car speeds up or finishes turning, the lights automatically turn themselves off.

The sensors in an adaptive headlights system prevent the lights from turning when they don't need to. If the car isn't moving or is moving in reverse, the adaptive headlights won't activate. This helps keep the lights from inadvertently blinding other drivers. (Contributed by: Grabianowski, Ed. "How Adaptive Headlights Work", Nov. 2007)

An Introduction to BiOptic Driving

2009-01-19T15:00:00.018-05:00

Have you been told you can't drive because of reduced resolution or visual acuity? Perhaps you can! What is Low Vision Driving?

Low vision driving, or vision-assisted driving, is driving with the use of a device called a bioptic. A bioptic is a small telescope mounted in the lens of a pair of glasses. The telescope aids the driver in seeing road signs and other objects at a distance. Many states now allow drivers who cannot meet their state's standard vision requirements to drive if they are fitted with a bioptic telescope and meet certain other guidelines. Bioptic driving is a method of driving that utilizes both the patient’s general vision and intermittent vision through this telescopic system. It is designed to the sharpness of the driver's vision.

The bioptic combines the user’s prescription spectacles with a miniature telescopic aid. These are mounted at the top of the spectacles and magnify two, three or four times. They can be used to view distant objects, in a similar way to how some partially sighted people use a monocular.

Bioptic driving requires extensive training in both the use of the bioptic and in behind-the-wheel driver’s training. The ultimate goal is to return to safe legal driving.

To find a Low Vision Specialist near you, click on:

http://www.aaopt.org/section/lv/diplomates/index.asp

Driving and Parkinson's

2008-12-09T12:11:00.001-05:00

Driving involves a number of activities, including perception, information processing, judgment, decision-making, coordinated limb movements, reaction-time tasks, continuous tracking, and attention. Parkinson's disease causes a number of abnormalities in these areas.

Many people believe a Parkinson's diagnosis means they will have to give up driving, however that isn't necessarily true. Each case of Parkinson's is different and the disease follows a unique course in every individual.

Driving is not safe in the advanced stages of Parkinson's, and a definite link has been established between the likelihood of being involved in an accident to the progression of the disease. However, patients with milder symptoms who can control their impaired motor abilities may often times be able to continue driving.

How Moderate and Severe Dementia Affect Driving

2008-12-05T12:06:00.007-05:00

Did You Know That.......

Mild Dementia:

The capacity for independent living, including adequate personal hygiene and judgment, remains relatively intact. Work or social activities are, however, can be significantly impaired. Cognitive skills necessary for safe driving, including attention, judgment, and memory, may also become impaired.

People with moderate or severe dementia will not be able to safely operate a motor vehicle because their driving skills and physical and mental abilities have deteriorated in the following ways:

Consciousness:

Inability to respond rationally to the environment. For example, what is seen is not comprehended. This can lead to serious accidents.

Cognitive Processing:

Unable to remember destination. Inattentive to external stimuli such as pedestrians or oncoming traffic. Judgment is slow or poor in traffic situations.

Strength and Coordination:

Muscle control is weak and reflexes are too slow to react appropriately to traffic situations or hazards.

The cognitive and physical abilities of drivers who have been diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia will have deteriorated to such an extent that driving would be unsafe.

Let me know if you're interested in more information on this topic.

I can also provide you with what, if anything, can be done to remain

a safe driver on the roadways for as long as possible.

2008-12-04T21:31:00.015-05:00

ABOUT OUR PRESENTATION

FOR SENIOR CITIZEN DRIVERS

This particular presentation addresses driving issues as they relate to our senior citizens. It is not meant to be another safe-driving class (seniors have seen them all by now!) but rather it is designed to increase a senior's awareness concerning the onset of diminished driving skills related to the aging process.

Our presentation takes a direct yet compassionate approach to the very sensitive subject of recognizing that someday it may be time to relinquish some of your driving independence.

The ultimate goal is not to take away the driving opportunities of our seniors, but rather to offer suggestions on how to compensate for diminishing skills, so our seniors can remain on the roadways as safe drivers.

Click here to visit our website: http://www.keepingussafe.org/