Driving a vehicle is an intensely personal choice.  Where we live, and our financial situation, dictate our transportation choices more than we would like to admit.  You may not even own a car if you live in a city with public transportation options; however, if you live in a rural area of the country, you may not have a choice but to drive. 

As we age, our reaction time slows, our muscles and joints become stiffer, we begin to have trouble seeing, especially at night, our hearing gets worse, and some medications can impair driving.  Deciding when to stop driving is a very personal decision.  It shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially given that operating a motor vehicle affects more than our own lives and can potentially affect everyone driving near us.

Whether you’re considering transportation options for yourself or a loved one, there are more options today than ever.  Many vehicles have a full complement of safety features, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, rear-view cameras, forward collision warning, large windows, and minimal blind spots.  Meanwhile, other cars are all but capable of driving you to a specific address.  Commercial rideshare options like Uber and Lyft, as well as community resources, are also potential options.  In addition, many assisted living facilities provide free transportation to local attractions.  Transportation costs are a factor for many of us.  Individuals and families may want to compare the costs of commercial rideshare with those of personal transportation to see which may be less expensive.  In some situations, commercial ridesharing may be a more cost-effective option than owning a car.  According to a 2020 study, people who drive less than 10,000 miles per year should consider replacing their vehicles with commercial rideshare options.

There are obvious and hidden driving costs that must be considered.  Obvious costs include Car Payments + Automobile Insurance + Annual Maintenance + Vehicle Depreciation + Fuel (Gas/Electricity).  Hidden costs include Financial Opportunity Costs + Safety Considerations = These are some of the factors that go into the Total Annual Cost of Vehicle Transportation.  Financial opportunity costs can be thought of as: the average cost of a car in 2023 is $34,876, not including tax and registration fees, and on average, people pay 7% over 70 months for their vehicles.  Instead of paying for a car, if that amount of money were to be invested over the same period, it would be worth approximately $47,000.00.  AAA is a great source of transportation information, and estimates indicate that new-car ownership costs now exceed $1,000 per month.  Financially speaking, owning a vehicle is the most cost-effective option for a young family with kids.  However, the older we get and drive less, the more we may find that other transportation services like rideshare may become a more viable option.   

Every situation is different and may change over time, but being open-minded about nontraditional transportation services is essential for keeping us active and engaged in our community. 

1. P/F _____: Do you feel safe driving day or night, or is your loved one safe driving on their own day or night? Operating a motor vehicle safely at any age is essential.  If, at any point, safety is a concern, steps should be taken to reduce and mitigate risks. 
2. 1.0 _____: Are you or your loved one open to feedback on your ability to operate a motor vehicle? Trust is paramount in any relationship, and being open to feedback is essential to us being the best versions of ourselves.   
3. 1.0 _____: Have you calculated your total cost of vehicle ownership? Knowing your total cost of ownership is the first step in determining the most cost-effective form of transportation for your situation.
4. 1.0 _____: Have you explored alternative forms of transportation? Most communities have a variety of transportation options.  Depending on your situation, exploring options in your community may be worthwhile.
5. 1.0 _____: Does your car have modern safety features to make you feel safe? Modern safety features have come a long way in assisting in preventing accidents. 

_____: Assessment Grade

RuReady Resources:

1. The Last Chapter Series Organizer
2. The Last Chapter Series Readiness Review and Checklist
3. The Last Chapter Series Resource List

AARP Resources:

1. Driver Safety. If you’re buying a car, looking for expert advice on auto repairs and safe driving techniques or the latest on electric vehicles, AARP has you covered.
2. Free Online Seminars. Here are some great free online resources to use.  The Driver Safety section is most relevant to this article.

 Article References:

1. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (2017, June). https://aaafoundation.org/rates-motor-vehicle-crashes-injuries-deaths-relation-driver-age-united-states-2014-2015/#:~:text=Risk%20decreases%20rapidly%20with%20age%20through%20the%20teens,increase%20slightly%20for%20drivers%20age%2070%20and%20older
2. Robert H. Shmerling, MD (2023, November 13). A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving?  Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-tough-question-when-should-an-older-driver-stop-driving-202311132992#:~:text=Per%20mile%20driven%2C%20the%20rate%20of%20motor%20vehicle,Safety.%20Only%20the%20youngest%20drivers%20have%20higher%20rates
3. Kyla Scanlon (2020, January 21) Ride or Drive: A Financial Model Comparing Ridesharing to Car Ownership. Medium, https://medium.com/data-science/ride-or-drive-a-financial-model-comparing-ridesharing-to-car-ownership-a0e53d660bb