Review and adjust your own attitudes about older drivers. Do stereotypes about aging affect your feelings about older people as individuals with different strengths, or do you lump them together as a group?
Try to get an objective idea of your parents' driving abilities. Recent accidents or traffic tickets could signal a problem. Drive with them, or ask someone else to observe.
Determine if your parent is voluntarily limiting his or her driving. Many older people will only drive during daylight hours, and only to places they know well. Find out if your parents are limiting their own driving.
Check your parents' car. Can your father still see over the dashboard easily? Do your mother's feet reach the pedals easily?
Help parents assess their current driving skills. You can also check with local colleges or universities, occupational therapists, doctors.
Address the problems the assessment uncovers. For example, if reaction time is slowing, a driver can allow more space between his or her car and the one in front.
Involve others if you need help. If your parents refuse to make changes or stop driving, a doctor, member of the clergy or a family friend may be able to help.
Help parents find other means of transportation. Work with your parents to identify what public, private and community transportation services are available.