Senior Driver Safety Showcased by FLHSMV

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles kicked off Older Driver Safety Awareness Week with safety tips on Monday.

More than 3 million of our almost 16 million drivers in Florida are age 65 or older, said Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Julie Jones on Monday. Being able to remain active and productive members of their communities is important to our older residents, and by highlighting the importance of driver safety, we hope they can continue to safely enjoy this freedom.

FLHSMV offered tips for older drivers on Monday:

-- Plan your day so that you do most of your driving when visibility is greatest and traffic is lightest, such as mid-morning and after lunch.

-- Plan the route to your destination to minimize left turns.

-- Look twice both ways before making a turn or entering an intersection.

-- Minimize lane changes. When you change lanes, be sure to use your signals.

-- Turn the volume on your radio down or turn off the radio completely.

-- Have your vision and hearing tested annually.

-- Heed warning labels on medications. Even prescription drugs can impair driving and judgment.

-- Consider alternative transportation options.