PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Driving one’s own vehicle holds special meaning and utility in our society. This can be especially true in rural Aroostook County where access to non-driving alternatives is challenging. Yet, as difficult as the reality can be, changes in health and function may necessitate retirement from driving.
For those concerned about aging and the privilege of driving in advancing age, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety has partnered with Dr. Tom Meuser, a clinical psychologist and applied gerontologist, to offer a safety program to aging drivers, their family members and/or care partners. It is designed to explore several relevant topics including medical-functional fitness to drive in advancing age; driver licensing and medical review processes; and mobility options and transition planning for persons no longer medically fit to drive.
Dr. Meuser is working as a research analyst for Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles and as a community educator and founding member of the Maine Mature Drivers Project. The goal of the project is to educate the community about health and driving fitness in older age and encourage individuals, families and professionals to work together and plan ahead for driving retirement when necessary.
According to Dr. Meuser, most older drivers are prudent and safe. One in 10, however, may be less safe or unsafe due to certain health conditions. “Keeping safe drivers on the road while promoting planned retirement of unsafe drivers is key,” he said.
The driver safety program takes place Monday, April 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Aroostook Agency on Aging, 260 Main Street in Presque Isle. Preregistration is required to attend in person or at a regional Access Point. Please call 207-764-3396 or 800-439-1789 to register.
