![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.thesilverlining.com\/hs-fs\/hubfs\/Senior%20Stats.png?width=659&name=Senior%20Stats.png\")
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Source<\/a><\/p>\n The good news is that seniors are reported to follow safety precautions while driving better than any other age group. From using seat belts to keeping speed limits in check, seniors are known to exhibit safe driving behaviors.<\/p>\n Driving is good for seniors too! It helps them stay fit, independent, and connected with their loved ones. However, driving is a complex task that requires healthy cognition and good flexibility.<\/p>\n If you or your senior loved one is planning to hit the road, we have a few tips that can lead to an enjoyable and safe long drive.<\/p>\n 1. Plan Well.\u00a0Once you decide on a destination, work on a detailed itinerary. Include your friends and family in the discussion. They can offer valuable advice to help you determine the best route possible.<\/p>\n Next, pick up a map or choose from a bunch of apps that could prove handy during the planning process. Remember to take a printout of the route for areas where your network may falter.<\/p>\n Tell your neighbors (and pet sitters if you\u2019re planning to leave pets behind) of your returning date. Share your emergency contact details too.<\/p>\n 2. Evaluate Your Health Condition.\u00a0According to\u00a0this report<\/a>, long-distance travelers are prone to severe health conditions. The risk increases for seniors. If you\u2019re battling a chronic age-related health condition like hypertension or diabetes, it\u2019s wise to get yourself thoroughly examined before embarking upon the journey. A thorough checkup of your eyesight, hearing, and other senses is highly recommended.<\/p>\n During the drive, remember to take frequent breaks. According to\u00a0this survey<\/a>, drowsy driving is a major cause of fatalities. On the road, it\u2019s wise to take short breaks at regular intervals to stretch or walk around.<\/p>\n Also, make sure you get adequate sleep. It\u2019s recommended that people of 65 years and above get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per day.<\/p>\n 3. Make Safety a Priority.\u00a0Obviously, road safety is of prime importance, especially for seniors going on long drives. Honoring your driving limitations and being attentive while parking can make your journey a lot safer.<\/p>\n Here are a few quick tips to stay safe while on the road:<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, rest before heading out for your long drive.\u00a0Don’t drive<\/a>\u00a0if you have just taken a medication that induces drowsiness.<\/p>\n Address your driving limitations. For instance, if you\u2019re having issues with visibility, avoid driving at night. Plan your trip accordingly.<\/p>\n Take a defensive approach while on the road. For instance, maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, avoid mobile phone distractions, and stay mindful at intersections.<\/p>\n Get your vehicle checked thoroughly for fluid levels and tire pressure. It\u2019s wise to involve an expert for this.<\/p>\n 4. Stock Up on Medications.\u00a0According to a\u00a0recent pre-pandemic survey,<\/a>\u00a0road travel is a top priority among 37 percent of the senior population. But seniors are often taking medications that may not be available everywhere. Hence, it\u2019s wise to stock up on prescribed medications.<\/p>\n The rule of thumb is to get a 90-day supply. Keep a copy of your prescription handy during the trip. Make sure you carry medications in their original labeled containers to avoid any confusion.<\/p>\n 5. Take Your Pets Along.\u00a0What better company can you expect on long drives other than your furry friends? Your mutt will not just be your constant travel companion but could offer a sense of security while you\u2019re on the go.<\/p>\n Remember to take their comfort into account during the trip. Look for pet-friendly lodging through the course of your journey.<\/p>\n Also, exercise all precautions to keep your pet safe and healthy. For instance, make sure that your pets have access to air conditioning, especially during warm-weather travel. Pack lots of fresh water for both yourself and your furry friends, and never leave your pets alone in the car.<\/p>\n 6. Pack Smartly.\u00a0Remember to pack all the essentials for your trip. Start with preparing an emergency kit that includes a first aid kit, healthy snacks, and bottled water.<\/p>\n Also, carry your health insurance cards, medical bracelets, and as mentioned earlier, prescriptions. Consider putting an index card in your wallet filled with relevant medical and contact information. If it happens to land in a stranger\u2019s hands, it could help provide you with the proper\u00a0roadside assistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Long road trips are fun. They can help you enjoy retrospection, tackle stress levels, and offer a sense of independence in your golden years. Use the tips shared here to keep safe and enjoy your long road trip!<\/p>\n Author Bio:\u00a0Jeff Hoyt works as the Editor-in-Chief at\u00a0SeniorLiving<\/a>.\u00a0He writes articles that inspire seniors to live better lives independently. Many of his articles have been republished on websites like MSN, AOL, Yahoo, Fox News, and HuffPost, while Reader\u2019s Digest has named him a financial expert. He\u2019s also a member of the Writers Guild of America and Phi Beta Kappa and has been nominated for an Emmy award. Enjoy his Senior Living\u00a0YouTube\u00a0<\/a>videos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Topics:<\/strong>\u00a0Auto Safety<\/a>,\u00a0Travel<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" According to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration, about 29 million Americans of the age 70 years or more are licensed drivers. In other words, one in six drivers in the U.S. belongs to the aging baby boomer population. With increasing numbers of senior drivers on the roads, safety is a point of concern. This\u00a0recent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6702"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6702\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flagshipinsuranceservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}