Driving complacency with automated car safety equipment

dancsfo

While I have not been diagnosed with EO, I did notice small challenges, such as parking too far away from curb when parallel parking and needing to repark, or not remembering the street speed limit (was that 25 or 35 mph?) that I would have noticed when younger.

I have considered getting a car with automated car safety equipment (examples: Toyota Safety Sense or Chevy Safety Assist). While having such capabilities is better than not having it, I have also read that:

• they may create a sense of complacency and a false sense of security (Article on topic)
• they only go part way towards dealing with other people who drive badly (I see much distracted driving while texting or talking), and I sense this danger increasing

I also don't drive as much as I used to, so I may not be getting as much daily practice.

So for myself, I plan to review my own capabilities, such as getting someone else (like a driving school) to assess my driving and stop doing so if I no longer feel safe (or do something part-way, such as to avoid night driving), get someone else to drive (cab, friend) when needed, pull over when tired, etc. I see elderly driving dangerously, often with dented car, and I don't want to get to that situation.

I realize that one can always turn off selected automated car safety and only use them if they seem to help me, but does anyone have first hand experience on how these automated safety equipment has benefited you, or perhaps worked against you?

Iris L.

These safety features are an assist to driving. My blind spot monitor helps me in backing out of parking spaces. But I still look over my shoulders and in my mirrors. I must still be vigilant.

Iris

dancsfo

Thanks @Iris L. so I will treat them as an extra help, and not something to rely on. I need to be, after all, the one in control, and not to lean on the features as a substitute.

Iris L.

If you are concerned about your driving, it is a good idea to determine if there are medical causes to treat. All of us have vision and hearing changes as we age. It is wise to investigate.

Iris

dancsfo

I'll do that @Iris L. I mentioned to my optometrist that I sometimes misplace things in plain sight, like my wallet, and he did say it comes with age, and also maybe I was not getting used to my progressive glasses, but I will ask my doctor too.

Iris L.

Have you been checked by an ophthalmologist for glaucoma or macular degeneration? These can cause blindness gradually and cause you not to see things right in front of yourself. Iris

dancsfo

@Iris L. Thank you for the ideas. My optometrist did notice some potential indicators for glaucoma, so I went to an ophthalmologist for a more through review, and they stated there is nothing of immediate concern for treatment. I get a glaucoma exam annually per their recommendation. I presume they also checked for macular degeneration, but they did not mention it.

BadMoonRising

It does take a while to adjust to progressive lenses. That said, if Tesla had a vehicle that was truly self-driving, I'd be on it like white on rice. 😄

dancsfo

@BadMoonRising Thanks for your thoughts and I agree that if and when we get safe self-driving, it will be a boon to many of us.

Also, while I attribute some problems to not being used to my progressives, I also think that my forgetfulness leads me to misplace things. I bet I found things before, even with imperfect vision since I knew where they last were.

BadMoonRising

Oh, that makes perfect sense. Duh. Having grown up with pretty severe ADHD, I never had the ability to remember where I randomly placed items. I did, however, panic, when I found some candy stored under the kitchen sink. I mean, who does that?! lol

Mimi50

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/65706/driving-complacency-with-automated-car-safety-equipment

My husband is still driving but your doctor can assess whether it is safe for you to drive. My husband goes to the doctor next week. I want them to make sure it is still safe for him too drive. You should ask the doctor about it next time you are there. In our case I can still drive.

Mimi50

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/177559#Comment_177559

I know you all have serious health issues. I went for routine I eye exam and got new glasses. They want me to see specialist. Since my husband has dementia I always assumed. That when he couldn't drive anymore. That I would be able to drive. I am going to be 51 in two weeks. They think that I have glaucoma. Yes they can treat it but there may be limits in the near future. On my driving.