How old and still driving????

[robanddi]

We are now considered by most to be elderly (sounds awful doesn’t it).

We have a 2001 34’ DP which we still love and which suits us well despite various repairs and breakdowns to be expected in an older motor home. Our general health is good but we do have some issues (I have artificial knees and husband had a ‘spontaneous rupture’ of his tibial tendon where surgical repair is not a good option.

I retired in 2000 and since then we have done 6 summer trips to Alaska and 6 summer trips to Newfoundland. We have put a lot of miles on the coach and us but I still believe there are many miles left! There have been other shorter trips – many in conjunction with my husband’s antique car hobby. We also have done flying trips during this period lasting from 2-6 weeks. We are fortunate that our bucket list while still extant has many items checked! Bottom line – travel has been and continues to be our favorite pastime.

My husband turns 80 in October and I am 71. We both can drive though he has always been the primary driver. So my question for y’all is: “When do you stop taking long trips?”

Thanks,
Diann

P.S. I do realize this is such an individual thing BUT am curious about how many other 'elderly' folks are out there still doing the long haul trips.

[gmctoyman]

I'm 72 this year, and still running the roads. We travel shorter days now, but still travel. I am more conscious of my slowing reflexes and do my best to compensate, but realize the end is near....to late to repent !

[pompomgirl]

We were talking with an RV salesman yesterday who said he sold an RV to a 90-year-old man who financed it for 20 years. The man's daughter came down and blessed out the salesman for, essentially, elder abuse for encouraging him. Meanwhile, the old man was off and down the road to go fishing. You see articles about 100-year-olds driving themselves to work every day. A 78-year-old friend of mine went to Louisiana to work for FEMA during the Deepwater recovery project, living in a tent in summer Louisiana conditions, fighting off mosquitoes, etc. Obviously it depends on the person.

[B_O__Plenty]

My aunt quit at 99. But I don't think at that point that anyone would ride with her. She went on to die from a fall at 109....

B.O.

[ScottG]

I really think it depends on the person. There are people in their 80's or 90's that I'd rather share the road with than people in their 20's.

[robanddi]

Thanks for the replies. No one has suggested (with hand signals or other visual/vocal means) that we are a hazard. LOL.

We do get regular check ups and have been given clean bill of healths (is that a word?). I repeat our general health is good.

Our issues are more mobility oriented (don't climb on top of the rig anymore and last time I crawled under it to clear air bag jets I swore it would be the last time). Some of the maintenance work we use to do ourselves, we now hire others to do it.

Mainly I was curious how many 80+-year-old folks are out there driving and feeling comfortable doing it.

Diann

[Homer1]

I am 81 and feel as good and fit for driving as I ever did. No I don't push the limits like I used to. If I feel drowsy or even find myself un attentive to the highway I pull in and take a nap. I am good as gold after that. 400 miles is max for me today, it was closer to 600 in a day.
I have seen guys get out of huge diesel rigs that could hardly walk when they hit the ground. They were truly disabled physically. I will never do that. You are no older than you feel. That is an Axiom of life.

[loulou57]

If you are questioning then you must have concerns. Have a physical done. Ask your doctor. Have any friends or family suggested that you may be having issues with memory, ability to see, get up and down (reflexes ) or other issues. I say if you are healthy then travel until you don't feel comfortable or safe.

[bob_nestor]

Here's a thought. If you have to ask if you're too old why not seek a professional 2nd opinion and get a physical at the same time. Insurance may even pay for the medical. Just ask your doctor for a 3rd Class flight physical. If he/she gives you a clean bill of health to fly as pilot in command, surely you're good to go for the highway.

[fj12ryder]

When the number of people who think you're "Number 1" and they gesture to show it, drastically increases then it's time to get the opinion of a 3rd party as to your ability and reflexes.

Maybe you think you're doing fine, but I've noticed that older drivers tend to drive slower as they age which can really tick off the people around you. You may think you're doing just fine, but when you're impeding traffic you can be considered dangerous. Maybe those other people are driving too fast, but maybe you're driving too slow.

If you're wondering how you're driving is, have it checked out. Sure can't do any harm, and if more people would do this, and put down that blankety-blank cell phone, magazine, book, make-up mirror, or whatever they're messing with, the roads might be a bit safer for everyone.

[K_Charles]

My aunt and uncle were way older then you and she had been on oxygen for years. They quit when he couldn't remember where they were going. You will know when you can't. My wife is over 70 and thinks she has a long time left to go and see, she pulls the TT now but didn't 10 years ago. My mother drove trailer for my father on occasion and didn't turn in her CDL till about 70.

[BB_TX]

As long as you can honestly feel you can do it safely and comfortably, keep on truckin'.
I am trailing along not far behind you (in years) and hope to go it for quite a few more. And hope I can make a wise decision when the time comes to stop.