OMAHA, Nebraska. Safety features on newer model cars may be able to assist older drivers and prevent accidents, but families still need to be vigilant about when an elderly family member should give up their keys. According to the National Institute on Aging, older drivers face unique challenges and obstacles on the road. Among some of the concerns are stiff joints and muscles which can impact reaction time and make it harder for elderly drivers to turn the wheel or check their blind spots. One writer for the New York Times wrote about how blind spot detection systems and systems that warn drivers when they drift out of their lane could help elderly drivers see behind them when they back out of a parking space or need to reverse their vehicle. Yet, these systems were not designed to replace a human driver, and there has already been some concern about drivers’ overreliance on these safety features which are not meant to serve autonomously.

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