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Nothing feels better than the freedom to hit the open road, but as you get older, putting behind the wheel a more risky proposal. According to the Institute of Insurance for Road Safety (VIAThe Tribune de San Diego), yourChances of a fault of driving increase by about ten times between 69 and 85 years. Often the result of mild cognitive impairment, which can lead to confusion, slower response times and a bad driving decision - many of these age-related accidents could be avoided by recognizing theEarly signs of dementia, the experts say.

A new study published in the medical newspaperGeriatrics shed light on these risksdriving models, This could also help you identify a problem before it's too late. Read it to find out which habits of dangerous driving can suggest a dementia diagnosis and what to do if you suspect that your skills slide.

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TheGeriatrics study evaluated how the driving data could predict lightcognitive impairmentAnd found that there were several signals in the conduct of people who can indicate a problem. By using recording devices in vehicles, they discovered that drivers aged 65 to 79 people who regularly practiced hard braking and hard acceleration were statistically more likely to develop later dementia. The researchers concluded that, for this reason, the frequency of hard braking events can be monitored as a reliable early indicator of cognitive impairment.

Of course, if cognitive impairment subtly changed your driving habits, you probably do not notice yourself. However, you can take note of your typical gasoline mileage, which is particularly affected by fast or erratic acceleration and braking - and look for major changes as you get older.

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Your braking models are not the only sumptuous possible signs of cognitive impairment and dementia. The Mayo clinic also warns that confusing gas and brake pedals can be another sign as yourCognitive functions are declining.

In fact, it is a pretty common phenomenon in patients with dementia that he has a name: "Pedal bad at a time". According toThe Tribune de San DiegoThe error is often "caused by a loss of mental and physical agility, or because of the disease, drugs or physical deterioration due to old age."

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If you have noticed that your driving skills slide more generally, it can also be aSign of dementia. The Mayo clinic says what to do "Slow or poor driving decisions"More frequently than usual could report neurological decline.

The National Institute of Aging (NIA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, notes that this can take several formsdriving. Some people can only note that a problem after noticing an unintentional speed, sudden track changes, receiving "two or more traffic tickets" or see their insurance premiums rise. You can also find that friends, family members or well-intentioned neighbors can comment on your driving more often, or even express their concern for your safety.

Finally, the Mayo clinic shares that losing themselves in driving in familiar or unknown places can be another sign of aneurological problem. However, the NIA notes that, in many cases, the driver may not be aware that there is a problem at all, because of memory failures. For this reason, they recommend noting how long it takes to run your usual races if you suspect a problem. "Take a lot of time to make a simple race and not be able to explain why ... may indicate that the person has lost", the organization warns.

If you suspect dementia or another light cognitive impairment, your safest bet is to plan a driving assessment. You can start by consulting thisNational database of driving specialists Maintained by the American Occupational Lapy Association, or ask for a recommendation from the engine vehicle department of your state.

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