There's an underground network in this country that's utilized by our over 65 population and it's called side street driving. Criss crossing cities and towns these networks go unnoticed by the millions who use side streets only to find the nearest freeway on-ramp. Those drivers want the fastest route between A and B while the side street network seeks the safest passage to and from their destination.
I first became aware of this network in a conversation with my mother about a friend whose driving skills concerned me. Wasn't she worried about riding with her? That's when I learned that they didn't travel the freeways, no, not anymore. They crossed town on side streets driving 35 and 40 thereby minimizing the quick decisions drivers need to make and maximizing safety by reducing speed. I ran into the network again in a conversation with an older friend who wanted to know how to get to our meeting place using the back roads. She stopped driving the freeway years ago. Too fast. Too dangerous.
The side street network is one way aging America is coping with the challenges that affect driving ability in our mobile society but Google "side street drivers" and you'll come up with nothing. This busy network runs totally under the radar in our lives creeping through school zones and stopping behind garbage trucks and busses on their way to important meetings and appointments; trading time for added assurance of arriving safely.
AAA, the American Automobile Association, reminds us that older drivers hold a wealth of experience and a range of driving abilities. They also remind us that by the age of 65 many contend with slower reflexes and changes in vision. Some will have the added challenge of hearing problems or medications that affect driving. For that reason, AAA offers help analyzing our ability to drive as well as lots of information on how aging affects our driving skills and how to stay safe behind the wheel. Check it out!
The next time you find yourself pulling up to a stop sign at the intersection of two side streets think about the network of people who travel these roads for greater safety. Driving is a complex skill and aging in a mobile nation is a challenge. How will you recognize the changes that affect your driving and what will you do to safeguard your driving trips? There are resources and existing networks to help you make the transition. Look around. Aging and traveling safely may even take you down some interesting new roads.
