She's Been Doing It For 70 Years

[poliphilo]

My mother is giving up driving. I'm glad. No-one (not even as good a driver as my mother) should still be on the roads at 90+. Now we have to help her re-organize her life around this new reality. I don't think it should be difficult. We've already done some preliminary research. There is, among other things, a local charity (apparently connected to the church) which links people up with volunteer drivers.

My mother was an army driver during the War. She used to chauffeur minor VIPs around the South East. 

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

It is difficult. I recall when my late MiL had to give up in her mid eighties and my hub's late aunt at nearly ninety. They didn't find it easy.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My mother doesn't feel she's safe anymore. She decided she wasn't going to carry passengers a while back. She's made a slow withdrawal. I hope that has eased the transition. It will help that she's a very laid-back character.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

She's had a long and good driving record. It's a relief for you that she won't be on the road by herself any longer and it may well be a relief for her as well. The oldest driver I ever knew personally was the grandmother of cousins who drove until age 96...without ever having had an accident.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I don't believe my mother ever had an accident either.

Nor did my father (at least not of his causing) even though he loved to drive fast on winding country lanes.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a truly sensible approach :o)

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

That is very sad. I'll bet this is going to be a very difficult transition for her. I know it would be for me. :-(

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I spoke to her this evening. She didn't seem downhearted. In fact she said it was a weight off her mind.

[sorenr.livejournal.com]

My great-grandmother got her license at 75 - when she found herself a widow with a car and a house quite far away from everything. At 95 she finally gave up her license, having not actually driven a car since she was 90.

My grandmother - at 89 - gave up her license 5 years ago and got herself a four-wheel scooter thingy that helps her do the shopping but doesn't go faster than 15mph - maybe 20mph dowh-hill... That might be an option for you mother? They can carry a fair bit of shopping, and if she runs into anybody - at that speed - the worst that can happen is a bruised shin... Also, they allow an elderly relative to retain a certain degree of autonomy in the day-to-day life - and then they can always get a ride with somebody if they need to travel significant distances or carry larger loads.