How to Confront Your Parents About Their Bad Driving
We all know that elderly people find it very hard to give up their independence.
It is one thing in life that they will let go of last because being independent and driving your own car allows a person to do many things without waiting for or asking someone else.
Usually elder drivers give up driving themselves because they end up finding it too stressful to drive.
In addition, they might have serious vision problems which hinders their driving.
But unfortunately, there are some elder drivers who will not agree that it is time for them to hang their keys.
They will deny that their driving abilities have diminished with age or health-related problems.
We are fortunate that we live in a society where most senior drivers stop driving without getting into trouble once they realize that they are safety risks.
However, the problem is with those drivers who are in denial and these drivers could be your parents.
Therefore, it becomes your responsibility to confront them and inform them about their bad or not so safe driving abilities.
Here are some tips that will help you confront your parents about their bad driving skills: oBefore bluntly informing your parents that they are a threat to other drivers and pedestrians, it is best to assess the situation first hand.
Go out with your parents when they are driving the car.
See for yourself that they are really a threat.
oStart talking to them casually about drivers and driving.
Inform them how much you care about them and are always there if they should need you.
Then start with how people find it difficult to driver after a certain age because of illness, aging process etc.
Make sure you come across as caring, or else you will make your parents all the more adamant.
oDo not just point out the problem.
Also offer them a solution which could be getting a family member to drive them or car pool etc.
While stopping your parents to drive completely could be out of the question, but you can request them to limit their driving or drive only during the day to familiar places.
oOnce you get initial success, encourage your parents to start taking taxis or public transportation.
Maybe you can accompany them initially and once they are comfortable, they can go about on their own.
oIf your parents refuse to listen to you and continue driving, then you will have to take the necessary steps and report them to the department of transportation in your city.
It is one thing in life that they will let go of last because being independent and driving your own car allows a person to do many things without waiting for or asking someone else.
Usually elder drivers give up driving themselves because they end up finding it too stressful to drive.
In addition, they might have serious vision problems which hinders their driving.
But unfortunately, there are some elder drivers who will not agree that it is time for them to hang their keys.
They will deny that their driving abilities have diminished with age or health-related problems.
We are fortunate that we live in a society where most senior drivers stop driving without getting into trouble once they realize that they are safety risks.
However, the problem is with those drivers who are in denial and these drivers could be your parents.
Therefore, it becomes your responsibility to confront them and inform them about their bad or not so safe driving abilities.
Here are some tips that will help you confront your parents about their bad driving skills: oBefore bluntly informing your parents that they are a threat to other drivers and pedestrians, it is best to assess the situation first hand.
Go out with your parents when they are driving the car.
See for yourself that they are really a threat.
oStart talking to them casually about drivers and driving.
Inform them how much you care about them and are always there if they should need you.
Then start with how people find it difficult to driver after a certain age because of illness, aging process etc.
Make sure you come across as caring, or else you will make your parents all the more adamant.
oDo not just point out the problem.
Also offer them a solution which could be getting a family member to drive them or car pool etc.
While stopping your parents to drive completely could be out of the question, but you can request them to limit their driving or drive only during the day to familiar places.
oOnce you get initial success, encourage your parents to start taking taxis or public transportation.
Maybe you can accompany them initially and once they are comfortable, they can go about on their own.
oIf your parents refuse to listen to you and continue driving, then you will have to take the necessary steps and report them to the department of transportation in your city.
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