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Staying safe behind the wheel: What to watch for as we age

Sep 16, 2025 - McMaster University -

⏱ 6 min video

Driving safely is a key part of staying independent, but changes in health and ability can sometimes make it harder to stay safe behind the wheel. In this short video, learn how to recognize the warning signs of unsafe driving, explore how health conditions may affect driving ability, and learn what you can do—whether for yourself or someone you care about.

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If you’d like to learn more about planning and exploring practical alternatives to driving, take our 15-minute interactive e-learning lesson.

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On the “road” to success: Is driver training beneficial for older adults?

Grey nomads: Aging optimally on the road

Driving: The super-activity of daily living?

Author Details

Brenda Vrkljan

Dr. Brenda Vrkljan is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University and a trained Occupational Therapist. She is passionate about promoting safe and functional mobility across the lifespan, which is evident in her research in the CanDrive initiative, a study that focuses on older adults and driving patterns.

Author Details

Anthony Levinson

Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and preventive psychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.

References

The content of this resource was informed by several evidence-based resources on the Portal, including the McMaster Optimal Aging Video Post 'Driving: The super-activity of daily living?’ and the Canadian Medical Association’s best practice guideline on determining medical fitness to operate motor vehicles. These resources were critically appraised and synthesized by the authors. Some sources – such as the CMA driver’s guide – also conduct their own rigorous evidence review process. The content of the e-learning lesson was reviewed and assessed for accuracy by our subject matter experts in rehabilitation science and medical psychiatry. There are no conflicts of interest. Instructional design of the e-learning used best practices in evidence-informed multimedia learning. A panel of end-users reviewed the content and provided feedback on their user experience.

If you have questions or comments related to this resource, please contact us at info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org.

References

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Driving: The super-activity of daily living? (2021 Nov 24). Accessed November 24, 2021. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/videos/2021/11/24/driving-the-super-activity-of-daily-living?
Canadian Medical Association. CMA driver’s guide: Determining medical fitness to operate motor vehicles. 9.1 edition. Joule Inc.; 2019.
Kuspinar, A., Verschoor, C., Beauchamp, M. et al. Modifiable factors related to life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults: results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. BMC Geriatr. 2020;20(35). doi:10.1186/s12877-020-1431-5
Cox AE, Cicchino JB. Continued trends in older driver crash involvement rates in the United States: Data through 2017-2018. J Safety Res. 2021;77:288-295. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2021.03.013
Raven, Andres. Age of Independence. CAA Magazine. Winter 2020. Accessed Oct 30, 2021. Available from: http://emag.totembrandstories.com/i/1307038-caa-sco-win20-do/19?. Accessed November 24, 2021.
Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Renew a G driver’s licence: 80 years and over. Updated December 2, 2021. Accessed December 2, 2021. (2013 Jun 5). Accessed October 30, 2021. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/renew-g-drivers-licence-80-years-and-over
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. What does drawing clocks have to do with driving cars? Tests of cognitive skills that can flag older drivers who may be unsafe behind the wheel. (2016 May 25). Accessed October 30, 2021. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2016/05/25/what-does-drawing-clocks-have-to-do-with-driving-cars-tests-of-cognitive-skills-that-can-flag-older-drivers-who-may-be-unsafe-behind-the-wheel ?
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Alternatives to the car. (2020 Aug 26). Accessed Oct 30, 2021. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2020/08/26/alternatives-to-the-car

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.

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