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  2. Can adult children over rule a doctor in taking away the keys to the car?

Can adult children overrule a doctor in taking away the keys to the car?

Boogie asked...

We don't think our 92 year old dad should be driving because of his heart but the doctor said he could

Expert Answer

Elizabeth Dugan, a Fellow of the Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston, is the author of Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource Guide for Older Drivers and Their Families.

You don't say what your father thinks, and he is the key person in this. Instead of trying to "over rule" the doctor, how about talking with your father to see how he feels? Most of us will not be driving right up until the day we die, has he thought about when he will know he is no longer safe to drive? Ask him. Voice your concerns and your desire to keep him happy, safe, and socially connected even if he isn't able to drive anymore.

Safe driving requires the ability to see, think, and move. Medical conditions (and their treatments) can impact these abilities. When you have different opinions on a person's driving fitness the best solution is to get a formal driving evaluation from a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. Good luck!