HAMBURG: They'll motor down to the supermarket or over to a friend's home for a chat over coffee. For many older people, driving has been an integral part of their lives for decades.
But what if Dad often runs stop signs, or Darling regularly doesn't brake until the last moment?
People sometimes worry when an elderly loved one gets behind the wheel, fearing he or she endangers themselves as well as others. At the same time they're unsure how to tell them it might be best if they stopped driving.
It's important to know that older drivers per se aren't a road hazard. On the whole, they're involved in traffic accidents less frequently than other age groups.
That being said, "data show that people over the age of 75 are at particular risk of accidents," says traffic psychologist Andrea Haeussler, management board member of Munich-based TÜV SÜD Life Service, which specializes in assessing fitness to drive.
Many older drivers no longer see or hear as well as they used to. And their mobility may be impaired, making it difficult for them to look over their shoulder - for example when changing lanes, merging onto a motorway, or turning at an intersection - to check for other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.
"A diminishing attention span and concentration are also part of the normal ageing process," notes traffic psychologist Claudia Happe. Numerous medical conditions are more common among older people, and side effects from medications taken for them can make driving riskier.
Many changes occur gradually, and other people often notice them before the older driver does.
Nevertheless, "many older people realise themselves when they're no longer at ease behind the wheel - and take appropriate action," points out Haeussler. Others continue to drive against their relatives' wishes.
A clear red flag is an increase in major driving errors - or a traffic accident. But there are subtler signs that someone's driving skills have declined, "for instance if they often display
delayed reactions - at traffic lights, say, or in situations involving the right of way," Happe says.
"Sudden hesitancy to take unfamiliar routes can be a warning sign as well."
Growing impatience behind the wheel, reflected in cursing at other drivers, can be another indication of a lack of confidence. And the condition of the older driver's car - the presence of scrapes or dents, for example - sometimes speaks volumes.
"At the very latest when you yourself are afraid to get into the car with the driver, it's time to broach the topic (of quitting driving)," Hauessler says. It's not an easy conversation for either side.
"It's hard for older people, who may have driven for decades without causing an accident, to be told they've done something wrong," Happe says. For many, a driving licence is a ticket to independence and self-determination - having to give it up is painful.
Concerned relatives should therefore approach the topic cautiously. They can start by dispassionately outlining their observations of the person's driving behaviour, and their fears or worries because of it.
"It's important to remove drama from the matter and develop ideas together on how best to ensure the person's mobility in future," says traffic psychologist Birgit Scheucher.
The good news is that there are plenty of solutions between, "Everything remains as is," and, "The driving licence has to go." One possible solution is for the older driver to take more rest stops or not to drive any more at night or in the rain.
"If someone takes medications and knows the side effects are weakest in the morning, it might be a good idea to drive only then," suggests Haeussler. If the decision is made to quit driving, the person could keep their driving licence for the time being.
The best solution is one that's tailored to the individual. A third-party assessment can be helpful in reaching it - for example, the person could take a short drive with a driving instructor, who can then render an opinion.
