It’s a question that often arises when a parent has suffered an accident or is no longer capable of driving safely.

You should be able to answer this question without having to consult anyone. You are the one who has to live with your parents and you know them better than anyone else.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of licensed drivers aged 65 and older in 2020 was almost 48 million. The ability to drive helps older adults remain independent and mobile. However, as people age, they are more likely to be involved in traffic crashes. Some of the risk factors include age, gender, and age-related changes.

Identify the signs that your parents should stop driving.
The signs that it’s time to end the driving are all around you. They are subtle, but they are there. If you notice them, take action now.

• The first sign is when your parents don’t know how to drive anymore. They just can’t seem to get it right anymore and they often make mistakes, like driving on a sidewalk or in the wrong lane. They will also start getting more frustrated and angry with every mistake they make, which means that they are getting more stressed out as well.
• Another sign is when your parents start getting into accidents with other cars or pedestrians. You may have seen them do this before and it was always ironic because it was so rare for them to get into an accident. This is because your parents have been practicing their driving for years and years, which means that they know exactly what they are doing when they drive and how to avoid accidents, so most people will never see them get into an accident unless it happens right in front of them. After a while though, something changes inside of your parents and suddenly they start crashing into things at high speeds without even realizing that they did anything wrong at all!
• Are they getting worse? If your parents seem to be getting worse instead of better as time goes by, this could mean that something else is going on besides aging (which is inevitable). Maybe an underlying medical problem is causing these changes — like arthritis or another — that needs treatment first.

Here are some tips to help you take away your parent’s car keys.
As your parents get older, it’s natural to worry about them driving. After all, most accidents are caused by driver error.

• It’s time for your parents to give up driving when they’re no longer able to drive safely. The answer depends on the age and physical condition of your parents. If you’re in your 40s or 50s and your parents are still driving, it’s unlikely that they’ll give up the keys any time soon. You can talk to them about the pros and cons of giving up driving. In the CDC’s report, the crash death rate for drivers aged 70 and older is higher per 1,000 crashes than that of middle-aged drivers (aged 35-54).
• The best time to tell them they have lost their license is when they get into an accident that could have been prevented by a car that was at least as safe as theirs.
• If you can find any accidents of this type, then it is time for them to take some time off from driving–at least until they can get used to being without a car again.
• In most cases, you’ll be able to convince your parents to give up the keys if they’ve been driving for at least two years and aren’t getting much exercise. If they’ve been driving for three or more years without any improvements in their health, it’s time to stop driving altogether.
• If your parents are out of shape, then you may be able to get them to start exercising more — even if it’s just walking around the block every day after work. Your goal should be to get them moving regularly without having them feel like they’re slacking off or wasting time with exercise. If you can do this, then once they get started on an exercise program that works for them, it won’t be long before they’re ready for less stressful activities such as biking or hiking instead of driving everywhere they go.

If you want to stop your older parents from driving, you can’t just cancel their driver’s license and car registration. You have to take away the privilege of driving altogether.

If your parents don’t need a car anymore, they can get around using public transportation or walking or biking. They could also sell their vehicle. If your parents are living with you, you can have them nominate someone else to drive them to doctor appointments or court dates, if necessary.

If they’re not living with you and they need a car for work, emergencies, or regular trips out of town, then you must find another way of getting them where they need to go — even if it means renting out their vehicle.

Do not cancel their driver’s license or car registration until they are no longer driving. When the time comes, you’ll have to ask for a letter from your parent stating that he or she will not be renewing his or her license or car registration.