Most older drivers have never made a plan for the day they stop driving, and that missing plan can cost more than convenience. A February 2025 University of Michigan poll found 81% of drivers 65 and older feel very confident in their driving today, but only 43% feel confident about driving safely in five years. AAA reports that former drivers get out less often, have smaller social networks, and face a higher risk of depression.
The warning signs tend to show up before the decision does: delayed reactions, close calls, trouble seeing pedestrians, new dents and scrapes on the car. Aging experts suggest families watch for those signals and start the conversation early, bringing in doctors, the DMV, and local agencies on aging. Ride programs offer a model worth copying, like one Kansas City service that provides door-to-door trips for adults 60 and older at $5 each way.
For our Gulf Coast communities, the stakes are practical. Bridges, barrier islands, and spread-out medical offices make a car feel essential. Start with small steps: map the nearest grocery, pharmacy, and arts venues against available rides, and keep the social calendar as full as the errands list. What’s your family’s transportation backup plan? Tell us in the comments.
