Quick summary

What should you do if you've monitored your parent's or other aging family members' driving and are persuaded that they pose a risk but they refuse to stop driving?

Many older adults elect to stop driving proactively if they suspect they're developing driving problems or someone mentions the issue. Others stubbornly insist that their driving is as good as it ever was and tune out anyone who tells them differently.

If you have a family member who refuses to acknowledge the problem, try these strategies:

Talk to friends of the family

If you've had no luck persuading your parent or other family members to give up the car, see if family friends can help. Research shows that older drivers are more likely to listen to those outside the family when it comes to their driving. Be discreet, and consider their feelings. Talk to only their closest friends: people they trust and whom you know have their best wishes at heart. Find out if these friends share your concerns. If they do, they may be willing to talk to your parent or other family members themselves.