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My mom is turning 80 this year and I was just having this same conversation *sigh*. I certainly want her, and others to be safe, but it's sad to see the driving go.
I personally have had some medical recovery things where I could not drive by doc's orders. Omg, it was awful! That loss of independence is depressing.
But, cars can become two ton killing machines when they go bad. Glad your dad has the sense to know to withdraw. My mom does as well. Just dirves the minimum (not at night, no free ways, etc.). But, my FIL on the other hand does not. It scares me.
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I feel as if I live another planet. :confused:
So many of you (but not all), would find it difficult not to drive at that more frail time in life later.
And most surprisingly just last week, my dearie said to me: "I only drive for you now". Meaning we only rent a car 1-2 times annually..so that we can zip around faster in vacation area. After all, we've been together a long time and to hear this latest pronouncement.
He's 65 and is a cyclist but does have a real lifelong sleep disorder that causes him to fall asleep at steering wheel after 1-2 hrs. of straight driving. usually after an hr. of driving he has to nap for about 15 min. while I get out walk around or sit around in the car. Not a big deal to me.
I will never be able to convince him otherwise since years ago, he had a big scare while driving. He did fall sleep for a few seconds when he was driving his son who was 10 at the time of this incident. He found himself by the side of the road ok. But couldn't remember how he got there. He was in his mid 40's at that time.
It scared him enough, that he gave up the idea of ever owning a car.
Would it help that I drove to take over from him? I suppose if I was a type A vacationing airhead and thought he was spoiling my vacation/my life. But no, I'm just a non-car hill-billy.
So the future of no driving in old age...looks similar to now..maybe I might walk slower at that frail time or take a few more taxis. :)
