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Winter Safety Tips for Older Drivers

Sep 11, 2020
Winter Safety Tips for Older Drivers

Whether your loved ones are young, old, or somewhere in between, you want them to stay safe on the road. In honor of Grandparents Day, and winter coming just around the corner, we have some driving tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe! 

These 3 winter safety tips for older drivers are a great way to get the important conversation about driver safety started. Even if you don't have aging drivers in your life, keep reading! You will still learn something that will keep you safe on the road.

Tip #1: Make Sure They’re Driving at Appropriate Times 

Several cars and taxis drive down a city road lined by fall foliage.

Nighttime and rush hour driving has the potential to be dangerous for even the best drivers. As you get older, it’s important to be aware of the times of day in which you are traveling. A great tip to share with older drivers is to drive during the day and avoiding peak rush hours. 

No matter where you live, there will be periods in which the roads are more congested than normal. Start by getting a feel for what the rush hours are in your area, and advise the older drivers in your life to plan any errands or activities outside of those times. 

In addition to avoiding rush hour and nighttime driving, another good rule of thumb is to always check the weather before hitting the road. Especially in the winter, conditions can be pretty unpredictable. Rain, snow, sleet, and beyond can throw a wrench into your travel plans. If you see the weather is going to be rough during the time in which your loved one plans to drive, consider offering to give them a lift if possible.

How DroneMobile Helps

If you have loved ones you’re worried about driving at night or during peak hours, DroneMobile is here to help. Within the DroneMobile app, you can enable the Curfew Monitoring feature

Set a window of time in which you don’t want the vehicle to be in use. When the engine starts during the time, you’ll instantly receive an alert so you can check in on your loved one and advise them on whether or not the trip is safe!


Tip #2: Choose the Safest Routes

Aerial view of a remote high way. Fall foliage surrounds the highway with snow covered ground.

Long road trips are often unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean there aren't precautions to be taken before setting out. First off, pull out the map or GPS and help your loved one plan their route. Avoid busy roads and cities, while also making sure to go through areas where help is readily available if need be.

Once you’ve made your plan, you should print or write it out as well. This way, if the driver gets lost, or ends up in an area without a cell signal, they'll have a hard copy of the directions so they can get back on track.

Not only will making a plan save the driver time, but it’s also a great way to keep the whole family informed about their travels. Once you’ve plotted their route, and maybe even scheduled in a few stops, you’ll have something to share with other loved ones in case of an emergency. All that being said, one of the best ways to stay safe on long trips is to bring along a companion! 

How DroneMobile Helps

 

Trip Reports are a great way to keep an eye on your loved ones driving habits. These reports show the start and end-points of each trip. If you have a Premium Plus Subscription, you can even see the entire route taken! 

These reports also include any alerts (i.e. speeding, curfew) triggered during the drive. If you see your loved one is taking unsafe routes, or exhibiting poor driving behavior, Trip Reports give you a great way to get the conversation started.


Tip #3: Avoid Driving When Stressed, Tired, or Distracted 

An elderly man behind the wheel of a vehicle appears distressed as he touches his forehead.

This tip is the simplest, but also the most important. Tell your loved ones to always take note of how they're feeling before they get behind the wheel. If they're feeling stressed or tired, but need to get home or run an errand, request that they call a loved ones to pick them up

If they feel distracted, take steps to eliminate distractions from the vehicle. For example, if they tend to look at their cell phone, tell them to consider placing it out of reach. Many vehicles will connect to your phone so they can still receive emergency phone calls or send urgent text messages using voice controls. 

No matter what your age is or how long you’ve been driving, distracted or impaired driving is the biggest threat to others and yourself on the road. When in doubt, call a friend, family member, or a cab to give you a lift! 

How DroneMobile Helps

It’s unfortunate, but sometimes accidents happen. That's why it’s best to have an emergency plan in place if your loved one gets into an accident. One way that DroneMobile helps give you peace of mind is through its GPS Tracking capabilities.

The Directions to Car feature was built so you can find the vehicle at any time, without having to worry about going to the wrong location. Gain access to these powerful GPS Tracking features with a Premium or higher subscription. 


We hope these 3 safety tips help you start valuable conversations with the older (or younger) drivers in your life! DroneMobile has many features that can help make driving safe and convenient for drivers of all ages. Family Sharing is one of the tools that makes keeping an eye on your loved ones simple. Learn more about Family Sharing through this post. Stay safe out there!

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