The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
HERE ARE SOME HOLIDAY ROAD TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
With the upcoming July 4 holiday leading to more crowded roads and possible delays, there are some helpful safety tips for older adults to consider that can help make your road travels more enjoyable.
Things like planning your route ahead will enable you to become familiar with the roads before setting out on your trip.
Also, having your fluids and tire pressure checked in advance and filling up the gas tank will enable you to avoid unexpected stops.
“Tires should be checked when they’re cold,” said Cheryl Gouker, marketing and public affairs manager for AAA Reading-Berks. “It’s best to have that done by a professional before they set out on their trip.”
Gouker said that seniors tend to allow the car battery to be drained because they don’t drive very often.
There are measures you can take to ensure that your battery isn’t going to be dead the day you leave on your trip, which could delay your departure.
“If you don’t drive a lot, then purchase a battery maintainer,” she said. “It’s about $20 and it’s a smart device you hook up to a car’s battery that maintains its charge.”
Gouker recommends that when you set out to depart, it’s important to make the most of the safety equipment in the vehicle to ensure that you will fare better if you’re in an accident.
“A lot of people don’t wear their seatbelts because they are uncomfortable,” Gouker said. “They aren’t aware that you can adjust the track to improve the comfort of the shoulder belt by sliding it up or down to where it is comfortable.”
She explained how a seatbelt should be property secured, stressing the importance is due to the more frail nature of older adults making them more vulnerable if in an accident.
“Make sure your lap belt is over your hip area and not on your stomach,” she said. “The shoulder belt should come across the center of your chest.”
Gouker offered a solution for those who have trouble gripping the steering wheel because of arthritis.
“They can get a steering wheel cover to help with that to enable them to get a good, firm grip,”
AAA Reading-Berks
• To access the member services staff and get a customized TripTik, call 610-374-4531
• Website: www.readingberks.aaa. com
• To find an AAA location nearest you visit, www.aaa.com.
National Institute on Aging
• Website: www.nia.nih.gov
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Website: www.nhtsa.gov
Gouker said.
The next tip has to do with your car’s various mirrors and the importance of using them correctly to eliminate any blind spots when driving.
“Most keep their mirrors the way they came from the factory, and that’s not correct,” she said. “You should not see your car in the mirror.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you can eliminate your driver’s side blind spot by reaiming your side mirror.
“First, lean your head against the window, then adjust your mirror outward so that when you look at the inside edge you can barely see the side of your car,” the NHTSA recommends on its website. “If you use a wideangle mirror, get lots of practice judging distances to other cars before using it in traffic.”
There are also different aftermarket mirrors you can consider to add a greater range of visibility.
“There is a panoramic mirror you can get that goes directly on the rearview mirror,” Gouker said.
Gouker said that some senior drivers are very nervous when driving on limited access highways, and if that’s the case, it’s important to stay off these highways because it’s dangerous to other motorists and yourself.
“They should try to find an alternate route if not comfortable,” she said, adding that you can visit AAA in person or call to get a TripTik, which is a route that can be customized to your comfort level on the road.
While the TripTik Travel Planner is also available online on AAA’s website, if you call or visit in person, you can discuss any hesitations you have on the road to enable them to determine the best route to suit your particular needs.
Another tip AAA offers centers on keeping an eye on the weather before your departure.
It’s best to time your trip out so you don’t encounter rain or other inclement weather, which can impair your visibility and cause roads to be slick.
Also, before your trip, be sure to check your medication’s side effects so you are able to be fully alert when driving.
If you take medication that causes drowsiness or other side effects that may impact your ability to drive safely, it is important to factor those into the timing of your departure and length of trip.
The National Institute on Aging recommends talking with your doctor if you have any concerns about your health and driving so you don’t risk hurting yourself and others.
When factoring in your departure and arrival time, be sure to allow for extra time and stops.
If you factor in extra time to stop and take a break to take a little walk, nap, eat or stretch, it will enable you to have the ability to concentrate fully on your drive without fatigue or muscle cramps.
According to AAA, it’s best to travel during non-peak hours.
If you avoid the busiest times on the road you can avoid heightened stress and delays due to heavy road congestion. In turn, your trip will be a more enjoyable experience.
If you consider all of these tips, you have a better chance of getting to your holiday vacation destination safely and without any delay in making lasting memories with loved ones on July 4.
Happy travels!